beautiful losers

Arg. Yet ANOTHER reason that I am envious of everyone who's at SXSW right now - as if the lure of new media + music + film was not enough - I just discovered that the film Beautiful Losers is premiering there.

No, it's not a film version of Leonard Cohen's novel...

Beautiful Losers celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation. In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories...speaking to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth.
--from the film's site

The film features a ton of really interesting artists, including Barry McGee, Margaret Kilgallen, Shepard Fairey and Geoff McFetridge.

Watch the trailer - plus, check out some close-up images of the gorgeous poster, posted by the designer, Keith Scharwath.

I really hope this eventually makes it up to Canada.