Watch Pavlensky: Life Naked

Pavlensky: Life Naked is a riveting documentary about the life and work of the controversial Russian performance artist, Petr Pavlensky. Directed by Irene Langemann, the film offers an intimate look at Pavlensky's art and activism, exploring the motivations and personal history behind his provocative and often shocking performances.

The film opens with footage of Pavlensky's most notorious performance, which saw him nail his scrotum to the cobblestones of Moscow's Red Square in 2013. From there, the film delves into Pavlensky's childhood and upbringing, revealing the roots of his radicalism in his experiences growing up in a broken home in a small town in Russia's Far East.

Pavlensky's artistic journey is traced from his early experimentation with tattooing and photography to his emergence as one of Russia's most prominent and controversial performance artists. Along the way, we see him staging provocative and often dangerous performances, from setting fire to the doors of the Federal Security Service to sewing his lips shut in protest against the jailing of members of the feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot.

The film also explores Pavlensky's personal life, including his relationship with his partner and collaborator Oksana Shalygina, who has been arrested and jailed along with Pavlensky on several occasions. We see the couple interacting with their children, and get a sense of the toll that Pavlensky's activism and imprisonment have taken on his family.

Throughout the film, Pavlensky's philosophy and approach to art are interrogated in interviews with critics, art historians, and fellow activists. His work is contextualized within the broader history of performance art, and compared to the work of other provocative artists like Chris Burden and Marina Abramovic.

One of the strengths of the film is the way it allows Pavlensky to speak for himself, in interviews and footage of his performances. We hear his descriptions of his intentions and the challenges of his work, and we see the visceral impact that his performances have on audiences and the public.

Despite the often violent and disturbing nature of his work, Pavlensky comes across as sincere and passionate in his political beliefs and in his commitment to his art. The film does not shy away from the question of whether his work is effective in bringing about political change or whether it is simply a form of personal expression, but ultimately leaves this for audiences to decide.

Overall, Pavlensky: Life Naked is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary about an artist whose work has often been shrouded in controversy and misunderstanding. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, politics, and activism, and a testament to the power of provocative and challenging art.