The second documentary in director Stacey Stone and her producing partner Diane Mellen’s look at people who currently live free in California. This is Art.
“Art” is an 11-minute documentary that cuts through the familiar narratives of hardship with a sense of clarity and purpose. Directed by Stacey Stone and produced by her long-time collaborator Diane Mellen, this short film introduces us to Art, a 56-year-old man from Laos who has spent much of his life “living free” – a phrase used in place of the more stigmatized term “homeless.” The film isn’t a lecture on poverty or a complaint about the inadequacies of social systems; it’s a portrait that captures a man who has carved out a kind of freedom on his own terms.
Set against the backdrop of Santa Barbara’s beaches, Art finds shelter under trees, benches, or, on fortunate nights, a blanket. Stone’s film delicately addresses an urgent issue without ever feeling heavy-handed. In California, the rate of unhoused people continues to rise, with affordable housing remaining scarce and pandemic protections largely a thing of the past. Yet “Art” sidesteps the typical narratives of failure or blame, opting instead for empathy. Art himself is remarkably content and feels more alive under the open sky, despite his circumstances. Stone captures this spirit, highlighting Art’s resilience and unfaltering optimism in a world that often prefers to look away from people in his position. Daily exercise with a soccer ball keeps him in decent shape in both body and mind.
In fact, Stone and Mellen’s approach is almost profound in its restraint. “Art” has no narrator; Stone lets Art speak for himself. In place of a scripted voice-over, Art’s own words carry the film, with each one painting a fuller picture of the man behind the label. Stone’s occasional questions are never intrusive, instead, they act as gentle prompts for Art to share more of his life, his philosophy, and his uniquely hopeful perspective.
“Art” is part of a series by Stone and Mellen on individuals who live unconventionally. Earlier this year, they released Kenny, another five-star portrait of resilience. What makes these films so memorable is their choice to focus on the individual, humanizing a social issue often reduced to statistics and pity. Stone and Mellen’s sensitive film-making gives audiences not just a number or a stat but a name and a life story, and it makes the impact of Art’s thoughts all the more profound.
“Art” could have easily fallen into despair or judgment, but Stone wisely resists that impulse although there is an underlying sense of grief. She doesn’t preach, nor does she ask us to pity Art. Instead, she presents a man who, despite facing monumental challenges, has found a way to live with dignity and even gratitude. The result is a film that leaves you with a deep respect for the human spirit.
In a world that increasingly feels cynical, “Art” is a gentle reminder that perspective can shift everything. Stone’s film allows Art’s to shine, giving the audience a portrait that is uplifting but containing a sense of sorrow. Where Kenny was uplifting Art is a little bit darker and there is more of a sense of sorrow but like Kenny, Art reminds us that there is some strength in choosing joy when life offers little else.
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