Burden

Released May 5, 2017

1h 28m

Documentary

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List

97%

36 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Illustrated with performances, private videos, and recollections from those who knew him, we observe the life of the always provocative artist Chris Burden, whose work consistently challenged ideas about the limits and nature of modern art, from his notorious performances in the 1970s to his later assemblages, installations, kinetic and static sculptures, and scientific models.

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Critics Consensus

Burden is no groundbreaker, but its straightforward approach allows the eccentric artists' work to speak for itself, warts and all.

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Audience Member

Caught this at the Traverse City Film Festival last week. Very good film. Pacing was a bit slow, leading to the film being longer than it needed to be, but I greatly enjoyed it nonetheless. Had this been pure fiction, I'm not sure I would've accepted the story as viable given our current political climate, but being based on the life experience of Michael Burden changes that. I have no doubts Michael didn't make a 180 degree miraculous change because he fell in love and was befriended by an African-American preacher, as was presented in the film, but clearly a change for the good happened and things like that need to be celebrated these days more than ever.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just saw this wonderful film at the Traverse City Film Festival. I am especially inspired that it is based on a true story. This story filled me with hope, that love will always triumph over hate.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Presented as the closing film for the 2018 Traverse City Film Festival. Standing ovation and well-received by the audience. Given that this film has been in the works for about 20 years, and given today's climate, this is a film worth seeing and discussing. I found it powerful, gripping, and excellent acting. The four in our group would definitely watch it again and highly recommend it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An incredible story of transformation from hatred to love is based on a true story, which took place in 1996 in Laurens, SC. Excellent play by actors in leading and supporting roles makes it so real. Absolutely recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Of all the films I saw at Sundance this year, this one stuck with me the most. It's a redemption story in the truest form with performances from Garrett Hedlund and Forest Whitaker that are sure to get them awards talk next season.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredible film. The characters, who are complex and yet very relatable find themselves on a collision course with high stakes that are real and believable. This film should be seen by anyone who needs a hopeful reminder that we are all more human than not.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Timothy Marrinan

Director

Richard Dewey

Director

John McEnroe

Self

Marina Abramović

Self

Frank O. Gehry

Self

Vito Acconci

Self

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Burden: Trailer 1

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Jo Livingstone

The New Republic

Burden does a sterling job.

May 22, 2017

Full Review

Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

The filmmakers are concerned more with career trajectory than personal history, and though they don't sugarcoat the bouts of troubling behavior, their affection for Burden is evident.

May 11, 2017

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This engrossing documentary profile of Los Angeles artist Chris Burden, who died in 2015, focuses mainly on his notorious performance pieces.

May 11, 2017

Full Review

Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

Even those who might not understand the enigmatic figure at first will be fascinated, but for those who appreciated his daring, a deeply rewarding portrait awaits.

Nov 1, 2018

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Sean Mulvihill

FanboyNation.com

Burden pays homage to an unusual artist and his unusual art that is both willing to be critical and analytical of its subject.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 31, 2018

Full Review

Morgan Rojas

Cinemacy

In this compelling portrait, filmmakers Richard Dewey and Timothy Marrinan delve deep into the artist's past for a glimpse into the eclectic and eccentric life of Chris Burden.

Aug 6, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Illustrated with performances, private videos, and recollections from those who knew him, we observe the life of the always provocative artist Chris Burden, whose work consistently challenged ideas about the limits and nature of modern art, from his notorious performances in the 1970s to his later assemblages, installations, kinetic and static sculptures, and scientific models.

Director: Timothy Marrinan, Richard Dewey
Producer: Simone Haggiag, Stanley F. Buchthal, Maja Hoffmann, Anna Godas, Jakob Abrahamsson
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.0K
Runtime: 1h 28m

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