Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Artists in LA discover the work of forgotten Polish sculptor Stanislav Szukalski, a mad genius whose true story unfolds chapter by astounding chapter.
Szukalski's life story is genuinely extraordinary — a forgotten Polish master sculptor with a bizarre pseudo-anthropological theory called Zermatism, rediscovered by George DiCaprio and Glenn Bray in LA. The documentary's subject matter is almost impossibly singular and strange, earning high marks for Novelty and Plot. Acting is largely irrelevant in a documentary context but interview subjects vary in charisma. Cinematography is competent and serviceable, showcasing the intricate sculptures well without being especially inventive. The ending is satisfying but slightly muted given the wild ride preceding it. Overall a fascinating portrait of a genuinely one-of-a-kind artistic and ideological figure.