Event

Art / Crime

Directed by: Frédérick Maheux / Canada / French, English, English Subtitles / 2011 / Documentary, Horror, Censorship, Human Interest, Art / 80 minutes / San Diego Premiere

Art / Crime is the story of Montreal makeup special effects artist, Rémy Couture. In October 2009 he was arrested by the police following a complaint received by Interpol about his website Inner Depravity. The site consisted of 16 sessions, 2 photos, and short films, containing proposed staging of torture, mutilation, and sadistic murders. Although the investigation concluded that there was no real victim and that the site content was fictional, Crown prosecutors in Quebec have filed charges for corruption of morals and production of obscene materials. Meanwhile, part of the arts scene in Quebec mobilized to denounce what they consider censorship.

With Art / Crime, director Frédérick Maheux attempts to clarify the circumstances of the arrest and understand the artistic, social and political aspects. Between reality and fiction, voyeurism and curiosity, the spectacle of violence was never too far on the Web. Suicides, urban violence and extreme pornography circulate freely and are easily accessible. Important questions about the responsibility of the viewer, being an artist, artistic dissemination, censorship on the Web, and the role of makeup and special effects are addressed. Art / Crime is a feature documentary that explores our attraction to violence, but also the misunderstanding and ignorance about the Internet.

Official Selection: Oakland Underground Film Festival