AI WEIWEI THE FAKE CASE: Out Now On VOD

Danish director Andreas Johnsen's documentary Ai Weiwei The Fake Case follows the acclaimed Chinese artist from his release after an 81-day internment, through his house arrest, and his fight against trumped up tax fraud charges by the Chinese Government. The case is dubbed The Fake Case, which carries multiple meanings. The name of Weiwei's design company is Fake (Fake - Fa (development) Ke (class)) and considering the false allegations against Weiwei calling it The Fake Case is also appropriate. But it is not simply a money issue. Weiwei must also fight these allegations to protect his name and his legacy. 

At the beginning of his house arrest you can see how much the internment affected him. He has difficulty sleeping and looks exhausted. Weiwei also finds it difficult to think clearly and remember details of his time. He says that the mind is trying to forget the ordeal so even simple details like how many dishes he was given at dinner are almost lost to him. Details like these are increasingly important to Weiwei 

As the film progresses you sense his rising energy, spirit and rebellious attitude. They find the National Security agents tasked with keeping an eye on him and then follow their car afterwards. Weiwei gets fiery and confrontational with police stationed outside his home when a journalist is accosted when they try to take his camera away. 

There are threats against his legal team and management at Fake. All but one of the lawyers leave and two of his management team are told to leave Beijing. But on the flip side, people throw money, as paper airplanes, over the walls outside his home. Donations come in to help him pay the first third of the money the authorities claim he owes. The people who send him money also write him letters of encouragement. Weiwei is hopeful that the tide will change in China and that the old order will be replaced with something more liberating. 

The Fake Case also gives us a glimpse of a mind that is always looking at the world as art. Weiwei always has his phone or camera out taking pictures. As his mind becomes sharp again details about his detention come back to him. While everyone else around him is nervous about the case and the chance that the government may retaliate Weiwei presses on. He is just as scared as everyone else but realizes how important it is to not stay quiet and keep on fighting. That is a fate worse than anything the government can throw at him. In response to his ordeal Weiwei created a six piece installation, S.A.C.R.E.D. six boxes depicting scenes from his internment that were on display in Italy up to last year. Here is where those details and memories of his internment were so important. 

One of the ways that Weiwei goes about recovering from his ordeal is to spend time with his son and wife. There are really sweet moments such as swimming in a pool or enjoying fireworks on the rooftop. Then there is the really absurd moment where you are watching Ai Weiwei and his son on a children's ride where you can shoot targets on animals with two guns attached to your spaceship. Then you realize the song in the background is 'It's A Small World'. Disney it ain't! 

Andreas Johnsen gives us a fairly unfiltered looks at one of the World's most influential figures. Through Johnsen's clandestine efforts to document Weiwei as he followed him around we get to watch Weiwei emerge from a raw and delicate state back to the outspoken artist and cultural figure. If you are looking for another intimate look at the Chinese artist then Ai Weiwei The Fake Case is for you. If you are looking at a raw glimpse of Mainland Chinese culture this doc should also interest you. 

The documentary will be available on multiple VOD platforms Tuesday, September 16th.