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In a DreamDirected by Jeremiah Zagar, 2008 By Alyce Wilson In a Dream is a visually compelling documentary exploring the complex juxtaposition between art and life for Philadelphia mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. Directed by his son, Jeremiah Zagar, the documentary starts by exploring the creative process behind the elder Zagar's mosaics, which cover buildings and interiors in the South Street area of Philadelphia. But as the film progresses, it becomes an intimate family portrait, delving into stark, shocking truths, as the family wrestles with personal issues like infidelity and drug abuse. While the family members argue, cry, weigh options, and finally find some healing, they are surrounded by this artwork, which decorates the inner walls of the home. These mosaics, a folk-art tribute to the family's life milestones, become almost another character, at times a visual depiction of joy, at others of isolation, and at still others, of hope and redemption. In the beginning of the film, Isaiah declares that he loves close-ups: the idea of a big head filling the screen. And so the film makes much use of close-ups, at times pulling back to show the vastness of the art surrounding these people. These close-ups mirror the portraits in his father's murals, where a giant face may dominate a wall, surrounded by quotes, broken mirrors, and smaller, related images. While reflecting on his art, Isaiah says that he just "puts things next to each other," and in much the same way, that is what Jeremiah does here, connecting sit-down interviews with real-life moments, juxtaposing footage of his father at work with old family movies. Just as his father has converted the small moments of their shared life into grand, public art, Jeremiah uses stunning visuals to convert life into art. Rating: **** (Must See) |
