Original Schtick
{{short description|1999 documentary film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Original Schtick
| image = Original Schtick.jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = Maciek Wszelaki
| producer = Peter George
Bronwyne Smith
| writer = Peter George
Maciek Wszelaki
| starring = Bob Fischer
| music =
| cinematography = Maciek Wszelaki
| editing = Jane Usher
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|1999}}
| runtime = 52 minutes
| country = Australia
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Original Schtick is a 1999 documentary film directed by Maciek Wszelaki. It exposes Bob Fischer, an American artist.{{Citation | last= Coslovich | first= Gabriella | title= The art of giving schtick - Visual arts | url = | periodical= The Age | date= 16 July 1999}} It debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival in July 1999 where Fischer was in attendance, turning the post-film question-and-answer session into a spectacle.{{Citation | last= Coslovich | first= Gabriella | title= Sparks fly at 'Original Schtick' screening - Film festival | url = | periodical= The Age | date= 27 July 1999}}
Reception
Writing in the Age Adrian Martin gave it 3 stars stating "Ultimately, Original Schtick is less an investigative documentary than a queasily compelling soap opera. It sticks relentlessly to a video-vérité style poised just a couple of inches from its subjects' mugs, and is strung together in a simple, linear, storytelling style familiar from Rats in the Ranks."{{Citation | last= Martin | first= Adrian | title=
Portrait of the artist as a con-man | url = http://www.filmcritic.com.au/reviews/o/original_schtick.html| periodical= Film Critic: Adrian Martin | date= 30 September 1999}} Margaret Pomeranz commenting on The Movie Show said "it`s jaw-droppingly revealing and very clever...Really well shot and directed by Maciej Wszelaki and edited by Jane Usher the documentary is beautifully ironic"{{Citation | last= Pomeranz | first= Margaret | title=
This exposé follows an American (con) artist on his forest fire tour of Melbourne. | url = https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/this-expose-follows-an-american-con-artist-on-his-forest-fire-tour-of-melbourne-br-nbsp/ku31b2ol2| periodical= The Movie Show | date= 1999}} Jim Schembri's 3 star capsual review in the Age finished "Very Spinal Tap in flavor, very funny."{{Citation | last= Schembri | first= Jim | title= Schoolyard soulmates - film - new releases | url = | periodical= The Age | date= 1 October 1999}} In the Australian Shane Danielson says "As a study in cultural cringe and personal idiocy, it's priceless. But as an illustration of the bankruptcy of at least some contemporary art, it's invaluable."{{Citation | last= Danielson | first= Shane | title= Portrait of hype as art | url = | periodical= The Australian | date= 4 November 1999}}
Awards
- 1999 Australian Film Institute Awards
- Best Direction in a Documentary - Maciek Wszelaki - won{{Citation | last= | first= | title= Film industry hands out gongs | url = | periodical= The Mercury | date= 15 November 1999}}
- Best Achievement in Editing in a Non-Feature Film - Jane Usher - won
- Best Documentary - Peter George, Bronwyne Smith - nominated{{Citation | last= | first= | title= Film's juicy fruit - Screen debutantes set to steal the AFI show | url = | periodical= Illawarra Mercury | date= 12 November 1999}}
- Best Achievement in Cinematography in a Non-Feature Film - Maciek Wszelaki - nominated
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0210878}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Original Schtick}}
Category:1999 documentary films
Category:Australian documentary films
Category:1990s English-language films