80 minutes, documentary, color, English, 2015
DVD Extras: Extended Interrogations • Chopping Block: Deleted Scenes • Rogue’s Gallery: The Art of Chet Zar • Behind the Scenes Featurette • Time-Lapses: The Creation of Six Chet Zar Paintings • Official Trailer + Rick Zar: Live Neon
Enter the dark and foreboding world of Chet Zar, where apocalyptic industrial landscapes are inhabited by disturbing yet beautiful monstrosities. Sometimes gruesome, occasionally funny, but always thought-provoking, Zar’s art is as enigmatic as it is frightening. But who is Chet Zar, and why does he like to paint monsters? These are the questions at the heart of this new documentary.
Zar is an influential figure in the Dark Art Movement. Born in 1967 in San Pedro, California, Zar was the family prankster. With a passion for horror films, an innate urge to create bizarre artwork, and a superhuman work ethic, Zar seemed to be made for the special effects industry. During his time in the film industry, he designed and created creatures and make-up effects for such films as Darkman, The Ring, Hellboy I & II, and Planet of the Apes. Even more well-known is his work with the band Tool. But despite his success, Zar became disenchanted by the artistic compromises he had to make, and, with the support of author Clive Barker, Zar decided to pursue his passion for monsters by painting them.
Chet Zar: I Like to Paint Monsters is an opportunity to take a journey into the mind and life of Zar. Delve into his experiences in the film industry, his transition from early special effects into the world of computer animation, and, ultimately, his evolution into the distinctive artist he is today.
“Chet Zar’s extraordinary paintings open an elevator shaft that delivers us down into a world of the purest mystery and dread. I Like to Paint Monsters is an inspiring and important film about the artist, as well as art itself.” – Clive Barker
“I expected the film to be both interesting and beautiful – which it definitely delivered – but I hadn’t expected it to be so moving and thought-provoking, with Correll’s deft hand catching something subtle about Chet’s art and life that I think we can all relate to. It’s a great film that I expect will become a cult classic.” – Tattoo Magazine
“Chet Zar Knows monsters. There is no doubt in my mind about that. But he also loves them, in an almost painful way – the only way to really love monsters. They flow from him with grace and perfection that make their creation seem effortless.” – Guillermo del Toro
UPC: 720229916875 | Catalog #: FRF916875D | $24.95 | Street: Mar 8