Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

Name: Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case
Genre: Drama, Documentary
Released: May 16, 2014
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Ai Weiwei, Andreas Johnsen

2014

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Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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Ai Weiwei The Fake Case

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Movie Details & Credits

International Film Circuit | Release Date: May 16, 2014 | Not Rated

Starring: Ai Weiwei, Andreas Johnsen

Summary: After 81 days of solitary detention, world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is put under house arrest. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss, 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home, police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down. Journalists, the art worldAfter 81 days of solitary detention, world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is put under house arrest. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss, 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home, police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down. Journalists, the art world and his family all want a piece of him and on top of that he is met with a gigantic lawsuit from the Chinese government, soon to be named The Fake Case. Ai Weiwei is shaken, but during the year on probation he steadily finds new ways to provoke and challenge the mighty powers of the Chinese authorities in his fight for human rights. Ai Weiwei strongly believes that China is ready for change. And he will do everything to make it happen.… Expand

Director: Andreas Johnsen

Genre(s): Drama, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

Sheri Linden

Jun 5, 2014

Fake Case assumes a certain familiarity with Ai and his work — explored more thoroughly in Alison Klayman's "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry." But as a follow-up and a companion piece to that 2012 documentary, Johnsen's new work is remarkably intimate and astute. Read full review

Graham Fuller

May 15, 2014

China’s government can’t handle dissident artist Ai Weiwei. He turns every move to suppress him into brilliant conceptual art. Read full review

A.O. Scott

May 15, 2014

Mr. Johnsen offers viewers the challenge and pleasure of an important artist’s company, and a chance to appreciate anew his wisdom, his wit and his bravery. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Nov 25, 2013

While Johnsen competently follows Ai over the course of more than a year of contemplation and anger, "The Fake Case" doesn't introduce anything new to the equation, and mainly succeeds by virtue of its subject's inherent appeal. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Christy Lemire

May 16, 2014

Watching him regain his confidence, sense of self and the rebellious spirit that defined him gives "The Fake Case" an unexpected and exciting feeling of momentum and, eventually, tension. Read full review

David Ehrlich

May 14, 2014

It’s curious that The Fake Case works best as a dark comedy, with one particularly memorable scene finding Ai sneaking up on a couple of newlyweds as they have their wedding photos taken and snapping a few of his own. Read full review

Kenneth Baker

May 26, 2014

Will serve mainly to reassure his countless admirers that Ai has recovered his defiance and ingenuity: a heartening message, but one that may be lost on those still unacquainted with his true case against the Chinese state. Read full review

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