Ai Weiwei is a fascinating figure, both as an artist and as one of China’s most influential and outspoken dissidents. Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case portrays the oppression and danger that Weiwei encounters as he continues his political activities.
Andreas Johnsen’s quietly important documentary picks up where Alison Klayman’s 2012 Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry left off, following Ai Weiwei during his year-long probation after his release from 81 days of incarceration for trumped up tax evasion charges. It is a more subdued Ai Weiwei in this film; under probation he is instructed not to talk to foreign media and is under constant surveillance. Yet, he constantly tests the limits of his restrictions, continuing to speak out, to write articles and stay active on social media, particularly Twitter. Witnessing Ai Weiwei regain his fire and assert his influence is powerful, particularly in the final scenes as the strain begins to show and it becomes clear how high the stakes are. The documentary also shows the development of his work S.A.C.R.E.D, which reconstructs his time in detention in sculpture.
The name of the documentary comes from both Ai Weiwei’s company ‘Fake LTD’ (a play on the f-word) and also references the false nature of the case. “The police told me their sole purpose was to put me away for a while,” Ai Weiwei says to camera, claiming that due to his high profile they had to come up with a reason.
This is an important theme throughout the documentary, for it examines the double-edged sword of influence, as it is Ai Weiwei’s very prominence and visibility that both endangers and protects him. From the constant presence of the press and their cameras to the artist’s own phone and webcam activities, the viewer can’t help but realize that if it were not for his fame, Ai Weiwei would be in even greater danger, or possibly even still incarcerated.
This film is an important and intimate update on the life and activities of Ai Weiwei, though the political situation and details of the case could have been more clearly explained, and it is quite slow moving in parts. However, it is essential watching for a supporter of the artist. For those unfamiliar with Ai Weiwei’s story, it is perhaps best viewed as a sequel to Klayman’s documentary, the more accessible Never Sorry, which gives a broader view of his life and activities. Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case faithfully documents the reality of oppression in China and the risks of refusing to be silent.
Review Score: THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case will premiere on September 16th on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and directly through http://www.thefakecase.com/.
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