Art in Action L’Art en action Magnus Isacsson and Simon Bujold, Canada, 2009, 66 minutes
Wednesday, May 12 | 3:30pm | Pacific Cinémathèque
An abundance of art, love and idealism: that’s what fuels Annie Roy and Pierre Allard, the founders of l’Action Terroriste Socialement Acceptable. Yes, these two Montreal artists call themselves terrorists, but with a qualifier — their joint artistic name in English is Socially Acceptable Terrorist Action, with the acronym ATSA.
ATSA was founded in 1997 by Allard and Roy to create so-called urban interventions: installations, performances and realistic stagings, bearing witness to the various social and environmental aberrations that preoccupy the two artists.
For the past decade, ATSA has made their performances an act of intrusion, an art that engages citizens in the struggle for a humane and civil society. They promote an open, active and responsible vision of artists as citizens contributing to the sustainable development of their society. They create spectacular and provocative installations, leaving their audience no choice but to participate. One of their installations is a kitchen and social space installed outdoors (during a cold Montreal winter) and for several days everyone who shows up is fed. Large tents and outdoor bonfires are set up and live performances are held at the site. Even the mayor of Montreal is warmly invited to speak to the assembled masses about poverty and homelessness, which is the theme of the project. No one is excluded and every one is treated with dignity and respect — including the politicians.
Isacsson focuses his camera on the political idealism and the domestic demands of the Roy-Allard partnership and finds inspiration, generosity and integrity in their exemplary life project. Shot over a four-year period, Art in Action is about Annie and Pierre’s art, about their chaotic and conflict-filled creative process, and about their relationship as a couple. The couple have two children, numerous projects on the go and when they’re not setting up public projects and working with dozens of volunteers and collaborators, they are planning the next projects. The film investigates their particular way of combining art and social activism, and the way they inspire other people. Most of all, it exposes their intense engagement with all aspects of life.
Directors’ biographies
Documentary filmmaker Magnus Isacsson has received many awards for his work in photography, radio, TV and film. A former producer for the English and French networks of the CBC, he has made more than a dozen independent films since 1986. Often shot over long periods of time, they tell dramatic stories that raise important social and political issues. Associate director and DOP Simon Bujold specializes in expedition and Arctic shoots. His own films include Qanuippitaa and At the Open Space.
