Automorphosis (Harrod Blank, 2009): USA

Reviewed by Jesse Solomon. Viewed at the 2009 Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Automorphosis is the fourth film directed my Harrod Blank, it is a documentary following the most interesting characters of today, doing what they do best, Car Art. Car Art is best described at “art on your car”. For many Car Artists their cars are the one thing they can truly put their name on, they often reflect the person’s deepest desires, quirky personality or obsession. The film begins with its creators own Car Art, his camera car is simply a van covered completely in cameras, the art is not only the car itself but also the photographs he takes of the expressions he receives for the car. Many others are featured in the film some covering there cars in pennies, brass ornaments, broken glass, Patriotic memorabilia, plastic body parts, yarn and anything else you can possibly think of.

The message that these Car Artists want to portray is as varied as ever, but as a whole they are pushing the point that we all don’t have to look or live a certain way. Why not turn your car into a giant shark or telephone if it makes you happy? These people live contently knowing that their works of art are seen everyday by different people who all have different things to say about them. Some of the Car Artists have reasons behind their works of art, Carolyn Stapleton calls her Volkswagen beetle the “Litter Bug” every week she goes along the side of the highway and picks up others litter. She then proceeds to glue these items on her car as a way to promote clean living. Others however are just showing an aspect of their personality through their Art Cars, Elmer Fleming covers his car in spoons. When asked his reason behind it he simply answered that he liked spoons. Believe it or not there have been Art Cars, Bicycles, Motorcycles and Scooters for as long as they’ve been around. Many around the world even showcase them in parades and conventions every year.

I can almost guarantee you that you will leave the theatre with a smile after this movie. The Characters are very well chosen, and their art is honestly AWESOME. Being a wannabe Car Artist myself I fell in love with this movie instantly, I can’t see myself turning my car into a giant hotdog anytime soon but I still identified with these people nonetheless. The Car Artists are very genuinely happy people who are seemingly oblivious to the 9-5, suit and tie lifestyle the world’s population generally indentifies with, and their creativity and lust for life is truly an inspiring thing. The movie is so well put together because the director/writer is himself a huge Car Art enthusiast whose ultimate goal in life is to open a Car Art museum for the old and tired cars, whose art can then live forever.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who really appreciates the small things in life, even if you don’t want to glue onto your car you will still appreciate this movie and leave with a newfound love of Car Art.