The Artist is Present

The Observer“An exhilarating, elegantly executed film...” A fascinating film ponders not only the nature and validity of performance art but paints a somewhat hagiographic portrait of Abramovic as the movement's "grandmother". Charismatic and beautiful at 64, the daughter of two national heroes...

The Telegraph“Fascinating...” Asks us to consider face-to-face engagement as a way of dissolving the barriers between an artist and her public...

Empire“Pretentious it may be, but her work does have value...” You've got to wonder at a woman who could sit motionless in a wooden chair, eight hours a day for three months...

The Independent“Likeable and down-to-earth...” May prompt at least two questions in the non-aficianado : 1) Is this pretentious? 2) Is it actually art...?

Little White Lies“A smoothly structured and entertaining portrait...” If the intention of Akers’ film is to reach a wider audience, it should achieve this aim. It’s not a biographical exercise, nor is it an homage to the artist – its appeal is more universal than that...

Total Film “Genuinely engaging...” Matthew Akers’ document of the event skews close to hagiography but is consistently informative in charting Abramović’s career...

Guardian“A highly diverting film...” Marina Abramović emerges from this arresting documentary as the Maria Callas of performance art. At 65 years old, though looking far younger, the Serbian-born Abramović has become a virtual legend in this enclosed world...

Time Out“Rare is the profile that captures so much oddness with so little judgment..” We see the crowds lining up around the block, the teary breakdowns of attendees, the endurance test of the performer, and we reckon with it without explanation...