Tattoo Nation (2013)
Studio: Visions Verite
Theatrical Release: April 4, 2013
DVD Release: May 9, 2013
Director: Eric Schwartz
Not Rated
Review by Richard Rey
Apparently Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles was the place to be for chicanos back in ‘75. You could score some dope, bump your jams in your low-rider and find some loving pretty easily. But of all the skin deep fads, none was more penetrating than the ink of Ed Hardy’s tattoo parlor, Good Time Charlie’s. By blending the prison chicano-style with heavy storytelling art from Japan came the birth of the black-and-gray tattoo.
Tattoo Nation acts mostly as a tribute to this ink style developed by American tattoo artist pioneers Charlie “Good Time Charlie” Cartwright, Jack “Guero” Rudy and Freddy “Coyote” Negrete. While the eighty-five minute documentary traces the origins of the art form back to the American penal system, it candidly shrugs off an in depth account of the art’s rich history from behind bars, leaving us with a safer – perhaps less compelling – rundown of its roots in East L.A.
The film is, however, replete with beautiful artwork depicted on human skin – proving the amount of effort and the high level of skill and concentration required for artists like Rudy and Negrete to do what they do. It also shows the evolution of the tattoo from beginning to present.
With the growing trend of getting ink done - 40% of Americans ages 26-40 have at least one tattoo - it was interesting to see how the tattoo has become a symbol of self-expression and identity. Sadly, the documentary refuses to touch the more sensitive areas of the tattoo industry: health risks, gang affiliations, etc. It does clear the air in one regard, though, and in this right I applaud its efforts: tattoos are an art form. No honest audience member will leave the theater thinking otherwise. I know I didn’t.
Of all the directions director Eric Schwartz could’ve taken the documentary, the road less taken wasn’t one he opted for – but what does that matter when the more familiar path is the stronger choice anyway? What we have here is the tattoo industry’s first step toward educating the general public about a modern art form that’s sweeping the nation. The question is will their next step be edgier?
[Rating: 3.5]
Tattoo Nation will be available on DVD on May 9th.
Theatrical Release: April 4, 2013
DVD Release: May 9, 2013
Director: Eric Schwartz
Not Rated
Review by Richard Rey
Apparently Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles was the place to be for chicanos back in ‘75. You could score some dope, bump your jams in your low-rider and find some loving pretty easily. But of all the skin deep fads, none was more penetrating than the ink of Ed Hardy’s tattoo parlor, Good Time Charlie’s. By blending the prison chicano-style with heavy storytelling art from Japan came the birth of the black-and-gray tattoo.
Tattoo Nation acts mostly as a tribute to this ink style developed by American tattoo artist pioneers Charlie “Good Time Charlie” Cartwright, Jack “Guero” Rudy and Freddy “Coyote” Negrete. While the eighty-five minute documentary traces the origins of the art form back to the American penal system, it candidly shrugs off an in depth account of the art’s rich history from behind bars, leaving us with a safer – perhaps less compelling – rundown of its roots in East L.A.
The film is, however, replete with beautiful artwork depicted on human skin – proving the amount of effort and the high level of skill and concentration required for artists like Rudy and Negrete to do what they do. It also shows the evolution of the tattoo from beginning to present.
With the growing trend of getting ink done - 40% of Americans ages 26-40 have at least one tattoo - it was interesting to see how the tattoo has become a symbol of self-expression and identity. Sadly, the documentary refuses to touch the more sensitive areas of the tattoo industry: health risks, gang affiliations, etc. It does clear the air in one regard, though, and in this right I applaud its efforts: tattoos are an art form. No honest audience member will leave the theater thinking otherwise. I know I didn’t.
Of all the directions director Eric Schwartz could’ve taken the documentary, the road less taken wasn’t one he opted for – but what does that matter when the more familiar path is the stronger choice anyway? What we have here is the tattoo industry’s first step toward educating the general public about a modern art form that’s sweeping the nation. The question is will their next step be edgier?
[Rating: 3.5]
Tattoo Nation will be available on DVD on May 9th.
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