Ron English, the well-known street and political artist, should be better known, and Constant van Hoeven's excellent documentary is the way to do it. With a groovy soundtrack, some of it featuring English's own band, van Hoeven takes us through the artist's development, from a crazed pre-teen with an 8-millimeter camera trying to outdo his friends' special effects (see how a 7th grader 'simulates' setting one of his characters on fire!) to the artist in his lair, deconstructing the commercial icons of our times. Go find the amazing faux talk show videos that English created with his wife - pure, brilliant performance art This doc has it all. Brilliant.
10 Reviews
Eye opening
henrymangione6 October 2022
I have to admit I knew almost nothing about Ron English going into this film. I had seen his images (spent a lot of time in NYC in the 80s and 90s), but didn't know the story behind them. English's humor and audacity in revealing some of the hypocrisies that society (and all of us) close our eyes to is cutting and, truth be told, very entertaining. All done in multiple media, including street art, guerrilla billboards, performance (play acting crazy characters on cringe TV), and intense, detailed multi dimensional compositions. I was blown away by the breadth of his work.
The movie does a great job telling the story and matches its composition to the flavor of English's art. It is well paced and you'll laugh a lot, as well as learn about a diverse and amazing artist.
Highly recommended!
The movie does a great job telling the story and matches its composition to the flavor of English's art. It is well paced and you'll laugh a lot, as well as learn about a diverse and amazing artist.
Highly recommended!
Mesmerizing!
dmcarey-407819 October 2022
This film sucked me in from the start. The view into the creative mind of Ron English was perfectly captured by director Constant van Hoeven. I knew very little about Ron English before the film but after watching it I definitely have an appreciation for the messages he communicates through his art. The documentary takes us all the way back to his childhood and brings us up to now allowing us to see the evolution of his art.
I highly recommend! The Living in Delusionville documentary to anyone whether you're interested in street art or not. You will not be disappointed and will be challenged to see things in a different light. See for yourself!
I highly recommend! The Living in Delusionville documentary to anyone whether you're interested in street art or not. You will not be disappointed and will be challenged to see things in a different light. See for yourself!
A deep dive, loved it.
trouph10 October 2022
Loved the film. This was a deep dive into the artist's mind. It was comedic, introspective, critical, entrancing. Beautifully shot and edited so that the audience sees the development of Ron English's work and artistic style alongside his personal story. It was an introduction to an alternate way of looking at the world around us and it had a seamless storyline, totally apropos to the current political and social moment. It had a narrative that captivated us and we left feeling like we knew Ron personally. As a viewer I got totally sucked in. Great soundtrack. Highly recommend that everyone go see this film. We haven't stopped talking about it.
Ron English! LEGEND...
robert-850796 October 2022
Living in Delusionville is fantastique.
For lack of better words... A game changer and made us all believe to be yourself and to touch the record.
Thankful this out for everyone to see and be true to who you are...
Constant Van Hoeven did an amazing job on getting this to the finish line especially with the pandemic taking place. A true act of passion for Ron's craft. Everyone you are in for a treat.
I had the pleasure to edit a few of the scenes during the pandemic. It was such an honor to see how Ron sees the world and his art.
From the early beginnings to now.
Jah Bless. Señor Broadway!"
For lack of better words... A game changer and made us all believe to be yourself and to touch the record.
Thankful this out for everyone to see and be true to who you are...
Constant Van Hoeven did an amazing job on getting this to the finish line especially with the pandemic taking place. A true act of passion for Ron's craft. Everyone you are in for a treat.
I had the pleasure to edit a few of the scenes during the pandemic. It was such an honor to see how Ron sees the world and his art.
From the early beginnings to now.
Jah Bless. Señor Broadway!"
enveloping world of Ron English
michaeljaywilcock4 October 2022
This impressionistic and highly informative documentary about Ron English takes you on a visual rollercoaster journey through the many era's of this incredible artist's life. The film has a killer soundtrack that varies from heavy electronic to old-timey and atmospheric - fleshing out the various eras and moments of Ron's artistic evolution. Throughout the film are great interviews with Ron himself and those around him. I really got a far greater insight into what makes him tick. It is guaranteed that you will learn much more about Ron and come away with an even greater respect for his legendary career.
Wow!
mbrophycooper5 October 2022
This movie is beautifully filmed, directed and thoroughly engaging. Ron English is one of those men who are brilliant and the film captures his creativity through color, humor and wit. As someone who came to the movie not intimately familiar with his life and work, I came away from the film feeling that I really knew and understood him. Even more importantly I came away truly appreciating his art and his artistic mission. The director, Constant Van Hoeven, was able to do this in a fast moving, highly focused film that was immensely entertaining while at the same time being enlightening and instructive. The world would be a better place if there were more Ron Englishes.
Rich deep dive into Ron English's life and art
dharmadogg4 October 2022
Saw this at a film festival last weekend. It is pretty awesome. I knew almost nothing about Ron English's work going into it, and I learned a lot about the various periods of his artistic journey through life. Nice touches of the personal story as well, about his marriage and his kids. But the visuals of his sculptures that he uses for photography, as well as the street art that he did on big billboards for a long time, really make it great. There is a lot of footage of Ron speaking for himself, too, which gives you that authentic insider feeling about his motivations, his inspirations, and what he wants to communicate with his work. Great music as well - keeps you engaged all the way, even if you are not yet familiar with this amazing artist and his legacy.
A Touching Retrospective
hdoylestudio27 October 2022
Constant van Hoeven's retrospective documentary on Ron English is superb. It follow's Ron's life from his childhood to being a pioneer in the urban art world. The familiar faces, a great soundtrack, and the awesome production are captivating. The personal stories with family and close friends give an immersive understanding of the man behind the art. This movie is an inspiring narrative of the career of an important contemporary artist making work about contemporary issues. For anyone that loves Ron English, or street art, or urban art, or art in general "Living in Delusionville" is a must see.
I'm fascinated
wcvzkt4 October 2022
This film is a great trip into the mind of Ron English! I loved learning about his process, and more importantly his own perspective on what his art is about and how it evolved over the years. The guy is brilliant and also quite funny, and has had more influence than I knew going in. Extremely well put together, keeping you drawn in (sometimes docs have dry patches- no filler here) and also a killer soundtrack. I recommend it to anyone, whether you think you're interested in Ron English and that scene or not. The humor alone (his guerilla billboard phase, going on talk shows with his wife as a publicity stunt) and the humanity in the slice of his childhood and his own family journey made it appeal to people well outside of the art world like myself.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews