STRANGE CULTURE — ** — Documentary feature about New York artist Steve Kurtz; not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, drugs, profanity, slurs)
The really strange thing about "Strange Culture" is that it often uses other people's words — and performances — to tell the story of its subject.
Lynn Hershman-Leeson's watchable but somewhat unsatisfying film is a look at controversial New York artist Steve Kurtz, who was arrested in 2004 on suspicion of terrorist activities.
Because of an agreement between the U.S. government and Kurtz, he can't really comment on his case — at least not to the extent that we'd prefer. So Hershman-Leeson has crafted something along the lines of a documentary/docudrama hybrid.
That includes some dramatic re-creations of events, which feature actors Tilda Swinton, Josh Kornbluth and Thomas Jay Ryan, who plays Kurtz but looks nothing like him. And, unfortunately, those portions are considerably less interesting than the interview segments.
Kurtz's ordeal began when he couldn't wake his wife and called emergency services. While paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive her, he was questioned by investigators, who were suspicious of bacterial cultures and other substances found in the couple's home.
Kurtz claimed to be using them for an art project — he belongs to Creative Art Ensemble, a group exploring the relationship between art, commerce and biotechnology. But his explanations fell on deaf ears, and the U.S. government tried to use his case as a test for its new domestic-terrorism enforcement program.
It's the sort of story that could lend itself well to a good standard documentary, but experimental filmmaker Hershman-Leeson ("Teknolust") takes a few chances that don't really pay off.
The worst part is some weird, "metatextual" commentary about the film from Ryan and Swinton.
"Strange Culture" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for violent imagery (artwork and photos), drug references and content, scattered profanity, and slurs based on ethnicity and nationality. Running time: 74 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com