#DangerousArt
Mr. Fish doesn't fit in any box, much less a box designed to describe him, so if you want to know more about this amazing artist, it’s time to check out the film trailer.
Booth is a punk rock artist, a man who still has the vibrant sock-it-to-the-man energy of a rebellious teenager – but he’s also a middle-aged, married father of two with bills to pay and commitments to keep. Bryant’s film looks at how he tries to juggle these battling personas, something which isn’t easy when he has few people willing to buy his controversial work.
Read MoreIt takes true talent to make someone root for an asshole.
Well, not necessarily an asshole, per se, but an unabashed, unapologetic, uncompromising and brilliant human being, who doesn’t want or need your acceptance or understanding to live his life, think the thoughts he does or express himself in an unfiltered way.
So. An artist.
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The titular Mr. Fish, one of the last unrelenting and unapologetic editorial cartoonists, in Mr. Fish: Cartooning From the Deep End
A disturbing fact: No daily newspaper in Texas has a staff editorial cartoonist. For Pablo Bryant, that's not just a problem for newspapers, but a reflection of a broader issue. He said, "It's a failure of our culture to celebrate what a precious object satire is, and we're losing it."
That's why the seasoned documentary camera operator made Mr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End, a celebration of the brilliant, scathing work of Mr. Fish aka Dwayne Booth. Yet it's also a warning about the seemingly imminent extinction of a vital component of editorial commentary.
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Shocking. Offensive. Truthful. These are all words that have been used to describe the work of controversial cartoonist Mr. Fish – aka Dwayne Booth. Fish, as he prefers to be called, is known for his bold imagery and variation of style, but whether it’s a minimalist “Sunday funnies” parody or a highly detailed, photo-realistic illustration, the one constant of Fish’s work is a satirical sense of humor that pulls no punches.
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If you love the iconic editorial cartoonist Donato from the Toronto Sun, then there is no doubt you will have an appreciation for Mr. Fish. The documentary Mr. Fish: Cartooning From The Deep End by director Pablo Bryant which made its Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival here in Toronto is an up close and personal look at the trials and tribulations of a controversial political cartoonist whose occupation is soon coming to a close. As the demand for his art continues to recede due to the decline of the print business, Mr. Fish seeks out other freelance opportunities in hopes to continue his career.
Read MoreA stubbornly amiable film about a compulsively provocative talent, “Mr. Fish” ponders the outer limits of editorial cartooning in an age where there’s arguably more fodder for such commentary than ever — but also more blowback from those who don’t want to be challenged, or simply disagreed with.
Read MoreBy using animated sequences along with static images, Bryant highlights Booth’s unique way of understanding the world. In these tumultuous time, Booth thinks “there’s still so much work to do, who’s gonna do it?…I will… I want to create art that makes people think about their humanity.”
Read MoreMr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End is a documentary following controversial political cartoonist Mr. Fish as he navigates his work and personal life. It screened at the 2018 Florida Film Festival, among other festivals as an official selection.
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Florida Film Festival: Mr. Fish: Cartooning From The Deep End (2017) reviewed by Jonathan Berk
Mr. Fish: Cartooning From the Deep End (2017) is a documentary screening at the 2018 Florida Film Festival. The film showcases Dwayne Booth, who is a political cartoonist who goes by the name Mr. Fish. His cartoons are controversial but often stab at the truth of many problems. The film depicts the struggles he encounters in his career as a result of the unrelenting honesty found in his art, which often utilizes obscene images or text to emphasize his points.
Read MoreThe 1996 Telecommunication Act may sound like a somewhat dated and bureaucratic piece of legislation; but, it is really more like a seed planted two decades ago that has grown deep and gnarled roots into American culture. Consider, at the time, the 10,000 or so radio stations in America were owned by about 5000 different parties, but today 80 percent of those radio stations have been consolidated into ownership by three corporations. Clear Channel, for example, only owned 40 or so radio stations in 1996, but a decade later controlled hundreds.
Read MoreIt’s not so much the fact that he’s so edgy with his satirical outlook but it’s more the fact that the political cartoonists in general are being “systematically murdered” as one interview subject comments on the matter.
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Trevor Stevens’ “Rock Steady Row” and Pablo Bryant’s “Mr. Fish: Cartooning From the Deep End” have won the Sparky Awards for grand jury prizes at the 24th Slamdance Film Festival.
“Rock Steady Row” won the grand jury narrative feature award and the audience narrative feature award. It focuses on a college freshman who, after his bike is stolen, is compelled to take action against the university’s reigning fraternities and the dean.
Read MoreNow that I’m old, I’ve grown to appreciate the “voice.” I love listening to people, who are passionate and informed regardless of whether I agree with them or not. From Pablo Bryant comes a documentary about the state of editorial cartooning today and its most prolific member in Mr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End.
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CREDIT: Courtesy Palm Springs Film Festival
Slamdance Film Festival
Director: Pablo Bryant
The best of art comes from the creation that follows destruction. Mr. Fish: Cartooning From The Deep End is a documentary full of raw, ugly, animated humanity that respects that tension. Full of traumatic fantasies and dark humor, the protagonist—controversial editorial cartoonist Mr. Fish—is rich with twisted imagination. Fish is sanctimonious and sarcastic, which comes forward in the film from the first frame. The greater purpose of vulgarity and fighting the gatekeepers is a question that imbues the film and its protagonist. Fish is meticulous and profoundly talented, yet seems begrudged by his calling. Vignettes of his cutting and clever work are fantastically displayed throughout the film.
Read MoreHola Dannie aqui!
Received a copy of "Mr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End" and I have to say WOW! It is everything I live for in an art documentary, and the subject matter of provocative artist Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Dwayne Booth) is right up my alley! I was so incredibly delighted that at only a couple seconds into the film it caught my heart and interest immediately.
This is the story of a true noncomformist, that would never even conform to that label.
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