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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
NAKED STATES
Confident, self-promoting photographer Spencer Tunick hits the road across
America searching for volunteers of all ages and types to pose nude, often in
public, for his ironic, humorous, post-apocalyptic photos. What begins as a
portrait of an up-and-coming artist becomes a fascinating and revealing look
on American subcultures, or as one of models describes them, “the
international Bohemian Tribe.” Even in Fargo, ND, models are easily found.
At a Midwest biker rally, a young woman gasps, amazed and grateful for the
photo opportunity, while a “Boy in the Hood” Klan T-shirt hangs in the
background. A nudist association is more than willing to participate, but
their unwillingness to be directed causes Tunick to vow, “I’ll never become
a nudist after this experience.” His encounters sometimes seem too strange
to be true. Although the idea of dozens of men and women baring all may at
first seem titillating, the nudity becomes perfunctory and asexual. The
highlight of the DVD extras is a short film of a chaotic, fast-paced photo
shoot in Central Park, which captures the infectious spirit of excitement and
camaraderie as dozens of strangers strip together in a cold September
morning.KT
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