Burden

Play trailer

2:14

Burden

2017

1h 28m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Illustrated with performances, private videos, and recollections from those who knew him, we observe the life of the always provocative artist Chris Burden, whose work consistently challenged ideas about the limits and nature of modern art, from his notorious performances in the 1970s to his later assemblages, installations, kinetic and static sculptures, and scientific models.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Burden is no groundbreaker, but its straightforward approach allows the eccentric artists' work to speak for itself, warts and all.

Read Critics Reviews

Jo Livingstone

The New Republic

05/22/2017

Burden does a sterling job.

Go to Full Review

Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

05/11/2017

The filmmakers are concerned more with career trajectory than personal history, and though they don't sugarcoat the bouts of troubling behavior, their affection for Burden is evident.

Go to Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

05/11/2017

This engrossing documentary profile of Los Angeles artist Chris Burden, who died in 2015, focuses mainly on his notorious performance pieces.

Go to Full Review

Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

11/01/2018

Even those who might not understand the enigmatic figure at first will be fascinated, but for those who appreciated his daring, a deeply rewarding portrait awaits.

Go to Full Review

Sean Mulvihill

FanboyNation.com

10/31/2018

3.5/5

Burden pays homage to an unusual artist and his unusual art that is both willing to be critical and analytical of its subject.

Go to Full Review

Morgan Rojas

Cinemacy

08/06/2018

In this compelling portrait, filmmakers Richard Dewey and Timothy Marrinan delve deep into the artist's past for a glimpse into the eclectic and eccentric life of Chris Burden.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

08/08/2018

Caught this at the Traverse City Film Festival last week. Very good film. Pacing was a bit slow, leading to the film being longer than it needed to be, but I greatly enjoyed it nonetheless. Had this been pure fiction, I'm not sure I would've accepted the story as viable given our current political climate, but being based on the life experience of Michael Burden changes that. I have no doubts Michael didn't make a 180 degree miraculous change because he fell in love and was befriended by an African-American preacher, as was presented in the film, but clearly a change for the good happened and things like that need to be celebrated these days more than ever.

See more

08/05/2018

Just saw this wonderful film at the Traverse City Film Festival. I am especially inspired that it is based on a true story. This story filled me with hope, that love will always triumph over hate.

See more

08/05/2018

Presented as the closing film for the 2018 Traverse City Film Festival. Standing ovation and well-received by the audience. Given that this film has been in the works for about 20 years, and given today's climate, this is a film worth seeing and discussing. I found it powerful, gripping, and excellent acting. The four in our group would definitely watch it again and highly recommend it.

See more

02/02/2018

An incredible story of transformation from hatred to love is based on a true story, which took place in 1996 in Laurens, SC. Excellent play by actors in leading and supporting roles makes it so real. Absolutely recommend!

See more

01/31/2018

Of all the films I saw at Sundance this year, this one stuck with me the most. It's a redemption story in the truest form with performances from Garrett Hedlund and Forest Whitaker that are sure to get them awards talk next season.

See more

01/30/2018

Incredible film. The characters, who are complex and yet very relatable find themselves on a collision course with high stakes that are real and believable. This film should be seen by anyone who needs a hopeful reminder that we are all more human than not.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Timothy Marrinan

Director

Richard Dewey

Director

John McEnroe

Self

Marina Abramović

Self

Frank O. Gehry

Self

Vito Acconci

Self

Peter and the Farm

100%

74%

Peter and the Farm

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Peter and the Farm

The Gospel According to André

87%

77%

The Gospel According to André

Watchlist

Harry Benson: Shoot First

85%

44%

Harry Benson: Shoot First

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Harry Benson: Shoot First

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

92%

68%

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat

88%

58%

Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Is Certified Fresh

Burden: Trailer 1

2:14

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Illustrated with performances, private videos, and recollections from those who knew him, we observe the life of the always provocative artist Chris Burden, whose work consistently challenged ideas about the limits and nature of modern art, from his notorious performances in the 1970s to his later assemblages, installations, kinetic and static sculptures, and scientific models.

Director: Timothy Marrinan, Richard Dewey
Producer: Timothy Marrinan, Richard Dewey, David Koh, Josh Braun, Dan Braun
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.0K
Runtime: 1h 28m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings