LAFF 2012 : BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING

For over 30 years, LA-based artist Wayne White has made an indelible mark on the creative world.  As a designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor, and musician, White created images that are an integral part of the pop culture lexicon.  BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING tells the irreverent and inspiring story of this one-of-a-kind artist and raconteur.  The movie features Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Paul Reubens, Gary Panter, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris and many more.

BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING is a colorful, wonderous look into the life of Wayne White. In Neil Berkeley’s documentary, he pieces together White’s life, and splices it with pieces of a live performance where White explains some of his views, as well as his upbringing.

In the film, it traces White’s career from underground cartoonist.  puppeteer and voice actor on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, videographer, and all the way to visual artist. What is really fascinating is just how much he has done in his career, yet he didn’t get much recognition until he started painting over old, thrown out landscape paintings. Not only did he design puppets for Pee-Wee’s Playhouse and act as the voice of Randy, the playhouse bully, and Dirty Dog, part of the ultra cool jazz band, but he also directed Peter Gabriel’s video “Big Time” and designed the sets for the Smashing Pumpkins video “Tonight, Tonight”.

The documentary tells of the ups and downs of White’s career, as well as giving us a glimpse into his supportive, super creative family life. With interviews from close friends, critics and colleagues such as Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Paul Reubens, Gary Panter, Jonathan Dayton, and Valerie Faris, BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING is a fun film that is sure to spark a little creativity with audiences.

 OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5 stars

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/beautyisembarrassing