“Revealing, electrifying, and extraordinary, Tattoo Uprising explores an oft-overlooked dimension of art history. Tattoo Uprising is utterly captivating from beginning to end.”
~Library BookWatch
~Library BookWatch
|
“An engaging examination of the practice of using ink to mark bodies with indelible designs.”
~ Tanja M. Laden, High Times “A must-see for those who revel in a ‘tatted world.’”
~Christopher Karr, Highbrow Magazine |
"Writer/director Alan Govenar makes skillful use of vintage clips and personal archival footage in order to educate modern day viewers about classic tattoo styles, pioneering artists, and the deeply rooted cultural background and continuing evolution of tattooing in terms of being both an art form as well as a means of personal expression."
~C.L. Illsley, Montreal Rampage
~C.L. Illsley, Montreal Rampage
|
“The film shows how tattooing in the last five-plus decades has transcended stereotypes to become a respected reflection of culture that conveys who we are — for life.”
~ Lina Lecaro, LA Weekly |
“You may walk into this film pristine of dermis... but you're going to want to correct that soon enough after drinking in this colorful, eccentric movie.”
~Kilian Melloy, Edge Media Network |
|
“Tattoo Uprising offers an eye-opening look at a practice that was once scorned and relegated to a few outliers of society, to a full-fledged industry that is all but ubiquitous in today’s day and age.”
~ Tanja M. Laden, High Times |
“There’s plenty of tattooing, the camera getting up close and personal as needles buzz into flesh, creating complicated, daring, and exquisite designs, using the human body as a living canvas.”
~This Week in New York |
“Viewers may see sides of the art's evolution they've never heard of. Like the often abstract, ‘sculptural’ full-body compositions of Jamie Summers, aka La Palma, who died young but left stunning work behind. Or the troves of vintage tattoo material Govenar has come across, like the designs associated with Gus Wagner, ‘a character out of Melville’ who reportedly learned his trade while a merchant seaman in Java and Borneo.”
~John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter
~John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter
About the Film
Tattoo Uprising, more than forty years in the making, is a sweeping overview of tattooing, from Biblical references and early Christian practices to the voyages of Captain James Cook and the ever-evolving image of the tattoo in the Western world.
Alan Govenar began work on this film in 1980 while finishing his acclaimed documentary Stoney Knows How. Tattoo Uprising features some of the most extraordinary people of the tattoo world: including Ed Hardy, Stoney St. Clair, Cynthia Witkin, Calamity Jane, and more, as well as an unforgettable appearance by filmmaker Werner Herzog, who allows a rare glimpse at his Ed Hardy tattoo. The film was shot in part by the late legendary filmmaker Les Blank, who also appears on camera.
From antiquity to the present, Tattoo Uprising reveals the artistic and historical roots of today’s tattoo explosion.
Alan Govenar began work on this film in 1980 while finishing his acclaimed documentary Stoney Knows How. Tattoo Uprising features some of the most extraordinary people of the tattoo world: including Ed Hardy, Stoney St. Clair, Cynthia Witkin, Calamity Jane, and more, as well as an unforgettable appearance by filmmaker Werner Herzog, who allows a rare glimpse at his Ed Hardy tattoo. The film was shot in part by the late legendary filmmaker Les Blank, who also appears on camera.
From antiquity to the present, Tattoo Uprising reveals the artistic and historical roots of today’s tattoo explosion.
