‘Over Your Cities’ takes a closer look at the work of Anselm Kiefer

There’s something undeniably haunting about Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow, the new film documenting the work of famed German artist Anselm Kiefer. Much of the 105-minute movie, directed by Sophie Fiennes and currently playing at New York City’s Film Forum, is void of any dialogue, plot or subtext. The main character isn’t even Kiefer himself, but rather his art installations in and around La Ribaute, his former studio in southern France. The provocative pieces that he makes out of burned books, rocks, debris and glass are frightening in their violent imagery. As a director, Fiennes seems enamored of the artist’s output, spending several slow-moving moments with each piece.

It’s not too difficult to see why she’s so interested in her subject.

As expected, Over Your Cities can’t match the power of Kiefer’s uniqueness. Although it feels as if the audience is receiving a hidden peek behind the curtain, much of the motive and inspiration of the groundbreaking artist remains a secret even when the final credits roll. The documentary is content with a tourist’s eye, rather than an investigator’s scrutiny.

Still, even for a contemplative documentary, it’s thrilling to watch Kiefer in his element; there are several scenes where he comes across as a modern-day Prometheus, disrupting the solidity of his artistic ingredients and giving birth to oddly enrapturing sculptures. The landscape of the broken-down silk factory where he gives life to his vision is the definition of eerie. The whole compound (which doesn’t even deserve that connotation) is a maze of projects, both inside, outside and underneath, all of which feature Kiefer’s hallmark touch. His sculpting and installation work has an aesthetic mournfulness.

In one scene, the artist places broken shards of glass in the pockets of a long-sleeve shirt. He then scribbles names above each section as if it were a remembrance to someone long gone. The resulting piece of art looks as if the audience is 50 years too late in capturing the image, as if there used to be a body that filled out the shirt. Now there’s just glass and chalked names written in rushed script.

With few vibrant colors in his art, other than competing shades of gray, there’s a sense that a visual eulogy is being resurrected. Perhaps others will see joy or promise, but when Kiefer uses industrial leftovers to create his installations, it’s difficult not to focus on the despair.

The most impressive sequence involves Kiefer and his assistants throwing debris onto an enormous canvas that features cold-looking trees painted black. At first, it appears that he is merely using a tried-and-true abstract technique of calculated fury. It doesn’t seem to matter where the dusty particles land; Kiefer just wants them off his hands and onto the canvas.

It’s only when the entire painting is lifted by a crane that the piece of art comes into focus. As it increases its angle to the floor and straightens up, much of the waste falls to the ground. Those pieces that remain on the canvas cloud over the black trees, making for an effectively ominous forest scene where the air seems to ooze a toxic fog.

Another sequence finds Kiefer making a mini-mountain by spilling liquid metal down a hill of dirt. The final shots of the documentary are of Kiefer’s iconic towers, which feature concrete slabs that stand like teetering giants against a beautiful backdrop.

The segments showing his creation process are interrupted by short interviews where Kiefer divulges some of his inspiration. The candid talks make for nice respites in between the quieter scenes of introspection, but don’t expect to learn too much. This is a film meant to display — no footnotes allowed.

It’s safe to say that Over Your Cities is essential viewing for lovers of both Kiefer and the creative process of art installation. Others may find the film frustratingly long and needlessly unconventional. And, yes, that frustration exists, even for the converted. But in some weird way, Over Your Cities feels like a fitting snapshot of an artist who throws convention out the door — or rather throws it furiously at the canvas.

The film is much more than a testament to Kiefer; it’s a personification.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow

• 2010

• Directed by Sophie Fiennes

• Featuring Anselm Kiefer and Klaus Dermutz

• Running time: 105 minutes

• Rating:

• Click here to purchase Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow on DVD.

• Click here for information on Film Forum, where Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow is currently playing.