GREAT LINE:

Make art not war.

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Some of the best kinds of documentaries are the ones that offer a snapshot of an ordinary life. Jimmy Mirikitani is an American painter who made his living on the streets of Manhattan. He’s one of those men that you pass day-after-day on your way to work – just another street artist, you think. But filmmaker Linda Hattendorf stopped and took notice, and persuaded him in 2001 to document his life. Over time she learned about his past including his experiences in an internment camp. The film spans more than a decade in Mirikitani’s life and takes a number of subtle twists and turns. We follow Jimmy through several life transitions such as when September 11, 2011 happens during the making of the film. Hattendorf presents a slice of life in such a respectful and honest way without thumping viewers over the head with melodrama. I highly recommend this film!

Check the BPL catalog for this title: The Cats of Mirikitani