Watch Aggie

Aggie is a powerful and insightful documentary film released in 2020, directed by Catherine Gund. The film is an inspiring tribute to the life and work of Agnes Gund, one of America's most passionate art collectors, philanthropists, and social activists. Through Aggie, the viewer is invited into the world of one of the most significant women of the 21st century, whose commitment to the arts, philanthropy, and social justice has made her an icon in modern American history.

The documentary opens with a sense of intrigue, as Agnes Gund is seen sitting in a gallery full of some of the world's most exquisite paintings, a Picasso amongst them, Agnes shares her love and passion for art with the audience. The viewer is then whisked away through a collection of personal photos and artwork on the walls of Gund's Upper East Side apartment, a space reflecting the many years of dedication to art and social justice.

As the film progresses, Aggie transports us deeper into the mind and passion of Agnes Gund, sharing her life story and career, and how her passion and dedication transformed the art industry for the better. Through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, we begin to understand Gund's compassion and drive for social justice.

It is through Agnes' philanthropic work that the film becomes particularly powerful. Gund has given away more than $1bn to philanthropic causes over the years, the proceeds raised from selling a Roy Lichtenstein painting for $165m proved to be the catalyst for her innovative criminal justice initiative. The film shows how Agnes used her art collection to promote awareness and activism against the many social issues that plague our modern society. The film is a tribute to her efforts to address issues of social justice from a heartfelt and empathetic perspective, as she works to promote meaningful and lasting change in the world.

Through the course of the documentary, we are taken on a visual journey throughout the entire United States to witness Gund's efforts in social change. The film focuses especially on Gund's campaign against mass incarceration, through the Art for Justice Fund, founded by herself and fellow freethinker Darren Walker. The art auction raises millions of dollars to combat the mass incarceration problems that plague US society. Gund's efforts extend to the beauty industry, which has been criticized for its lack of diversity in skin shades, hair textures, and body types. Gund initiatives to fight such issues is a testament to her unwavering desire to fight for those who have suffered injustices.

The film is not just about Gund's philanthropy, but also about the enormous influence she has had in the art world. We see examples of her artistic contributions, including the establishment of the Independent Curators International (ICI) and the Studio Museum in Harlem. Through her efforts, Gund introduced a new dimension of diversity in the art world, which was never seen before. The intrinsic beauty of art was unleashed by the bringing in of unique voices and perspective.

The visuals in Aggie also play a prominent role in defining Gund's work. The art scenes and exhibitions were beautifully recreated and showcased to the audience to make an emotional and sensory impact. We are exposed to the raw emotions of people, the most vulnerable amongst us, speaking about their life experiences, underscoring the crux of Gund's work.

Aggie not only highlights Gund's dedication to culture and social reform but also shows the viewer her warmth and generosity as a human. The audience gets an intimate portrait of how gracious, committed, and caring she is for the people around her. Catherine Gund's movie triumphantly captures the essence of an icon who has given unconditionally to the society and continues to do so today.

In Summation, Aggie is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary that not only celebrates a remarkable woman but also gives us hope that one person's vision, dedication, and humanity can make a tremendous difference in the world. It reveals passion for the cause that served as a driving force to a lifetime of cultural change, inspiration for us all.

Aggie is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 57.