Saw a superb full-length documentary last night - Dan Wechsler's "More Than the Rainbow" about Matt Weber, one of the great NYC street photographers working today.
Don't be turned off by the genre. This documentary is as entertaining as it gets. Its main subject is the life and work of Matt Weber, who is also as entertaining as it gets. He is a hyper, perceptive and totally down-to-earth New Yorker who went from driving a cab to capturing in black-and-white photography all the beautiful grittiness of his native city. Without being overly profound the film explores the obsessions and trials of being a artist, the art of photography, and the quirkiness of New York life. It seamlessly mixes stunning black and white stills with jazzy shots of New York City accompanied by the music of Thelonius Monk.
The best parts of the film are the amazing interviews with the street photographers, as they talk honestly, hilariously, and poignantly about their struggles with art and life. They are New York City characters portrayed with all their blemishes and bravado, and you end up feeling that you wish you could visit them all and hear more about their lives. I've known one of them, Dave Beckerman, all my life, and I can attest that his personality is exactly as depicted in the film.
I really hope that Dan Wechsler gets all the awards he deserves for this wonderful film and that all the photographers interviewed are recognized for their work, especially Matt Weber.
Don't be turned off by the genre. This documentary is as entertaining as it gets. Its main subject is the life and work of Matt Weber, who is also as entertaining as it gets. He is a hyper, perceptive and totally down-to-earth New Yorker who went from driving a cab to capturing in black-and-white photography all the beautiful grittiness of his native city. Without being overly profound the film explores the obsessions and trials of being a artist, the art of photography, and the quirkiness of New York life. It seamlessly mixes stunning black and white stills with jazzy shots of New York City accompanied by the music of Thelonius Monk.
The best parts of the film are the amazing interviews with the street photographers, as they talk honestly, hilariously, and poignantly about their struggles with art and life. They are New York City characters portrayed with all their blemishes and bravado, and you end up feeling that you wish you could visit them all and hear more about their lives. I've known one of them, Dave Beckerman, all my life, and I can attest that his personality is exactly as depicted in the film.
I really hope that Dan Wechsler gets all the awards he deserves for this wonderful film and that all the photographers interviewed are recognized for their work, especially Matt Weber.