Trailer | Art Bastard

Press Articles

International

Art Bastard The art world’s "best kept secret", Robert Cenedella. -Katie O'Connor, Toronto Film Scene

"Robert Cenedella is an enfant terrible of the art world" -Pat Mullen, Point of View Magazine

Press Articles

United States

*New York Times CRITIC's PICK! "Robust documentary portrait of lifelong rebel and art-world gadfly." Cenedella comes across as a reassuring voice of sanity.
-Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES

"A REBEL WITH A CANVAS! PROVOCATIVE! Kinetic from the opening shots! ART BASTARD is about a proudly unrepentant troublemaker who tilts at the art-world equivalent of Don Quixote’s windmills!"
-Bob Mondello, NPR

"An intimate portrait of the iconoclastic artist Robert Cenedella... Socially conscious and often mordantly humorous, the paintings are wonderfully exhibited in this film which benefits from being seen on the big screen."
-Frank Scheck, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"A loving tribute to one of the most delightfully tenacious and ardently passionate voices in modern art... highly recommended to art junkies"
-Oktay Ege Kozak, THE PLAYLIST

"Victor Kanefsky's engaging and thought-provoking documentary about Cenedella, is a beautiful portrait of the man himself, as well as a critique of the art world that has ignored him (and others) because they don't "fit." -Sheila O'Malley, RogerEbert.com

"4 stars! A pure delight! This tribute to a marvelous talent is long overdue, and 'Art Bastard' pays an invigorating celebration to a one-of-a-kind genius."
-Phil Hall, The Examiner

"A little gem... a witty, joyous, and utterly deserved takedown of the art industry"
- James van Maanen, trustmovies.com

"THE BEST FILM ABOUT ART I HAVE SEEN... A scintillating, visually splendid look at the life and satirical work of socially conscious, talented and articulate art rebel Robert Cenedella. The art establishment should take a fresh look at Cenedella’s work, which certainly deserves a major, reflective New York exhibition at this point in time."
- William Wolf, wolfentertainmentguide.com

"A vibrant and tender movie... A thoroughly engaging portrait of a witty and driven artist whose life story is as poignant as his paintings are comical and wild... A sweeping look at an artist driven to speak his heart and to live life true to who he was... You will enjoy your 84 minutes with Bob Cenedella. Like his paintings, he’s one colorful character. Bravo to the filmmakers for celebrating his life and works."
-Roberta Fallon, ArtBlog

"I love this film... ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR!"
"Track this film down and see it. It will do wondrous things for your outlook on life."
"Robert Cenedella is absolutely compelling. Listening to him talk about life and art is one of the great cinematic treats I've had recently."
-Steve Kopian, UnseenFilms

"A feel-good film that, for once, doesn’t denigrate the term. As a serious artist who has spent 60 years of his life making people laugh, Robert Cendella is my new art hero. His story is a must-see for those who champion free speech and the inherent power of a solid belly laugh." -Scott Marks, SAN DIEGO READER

"A great film about a brilliant artist who is finally getting his due. I highly recommend it."-Mark Saldana, TrueViewReviews.com

"The most inspiring documentary about making art that I have ever seen in my life."
-Louis Proyect, The Unrepentant Marxist

”You'll Love It Instantly!” - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"A fascinating, wonderful artist. I loved this movie. Go see it." -Ann Northrop, Gay USA

"GORGEOUSLY COMPLEX, EXPOSES THE SCARS OF NOT BELONGING." -Laura Blum, thalo.com

"Affectionate and vibrant... thoroughly captivating documentary"
-Tomris Laffly, TIME OUT NEW YORK

"A compelling indictment of the way commerce drives the art market" -Stephanie Merry, WASHINGTON POST

FILM PICK OF THE WEEK! "Cenedella is an entertaining, unconventional character." -Pat Padua, DCist.com

"Victor Kanefsky’s great film on this unsung artist is a feast of wonderful jarring-awake images, New York vibes, brilliant colors, strong opinions and laughs. -Janet Coleman, WBAI

"An amusing, touching film!" -Jack Meyer, HUFFINGTON POST

"An artist and bohemian in the truest sense of those words is celebrated in this inspiring doc about his work and gloriously independent life. The roiling, often hilarious and satirically biting art of Robert Cenedella calls to mind the work of Breughel and George Grosz."
-David Noh, FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

"Fascinating, incendiary, inspiring. Don't miss it!" -Mike Sargent, WBAI / Pacifica radio

"An honest and endearing profile" --Julie Pendray, specialsnotonthemenu.com

"Cenedella continues to launch spitballs at the establishment, paint terrific pictures, and attract devoted admirers. This film should win him a bunch more." -
Jonathon Richards, Santa Fe New Mexican

"4 Stars! You may not recognize the name going in, but after spending 82 minutes watching director Victor Kanefsky cast a heartfelt lens in Cenedella's direction, you'll never forget him."
-Scott Marks, SAN DIEGO READER

"The perfect way to celebrate your dad on Father’s Day would be taking him to see this picture."
-Josh Board, SAN DIEGO READER

"A zesty, engaging documentary about a veteran outsider."
-Robert Abele - LA TIMES

The madly teeming pop-cartoon paintings of Robert Cenedella anchor this lively look at a self-styled superstar of outsider art.
-Owen Gleiberman, Variety.com