Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary about the life and work of artist, marine, and acrobat H.C. (Cliff) Westermann. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through beguiling, surreal artworks he made to process the horrors he witnessed on the front lines. In so doing, he became an inspiration for many young artists. The film reveals ways in which Westermann protected his empathic spirit—and sanity—by "sculpting" his body, artworks, friendships, his hand-hewn house, and his art-filled letters to his dearest friends and family. The film explores themes of resiliency, hope, and humor with a script culled from over a thousand of Westermann’s letters and one audio-interview. Voiced by four-time Academy-Award nominee and MIFF Mid-Life Achievement Award honoree Ed Harris and scored by Laurie Anderson and the Kronos Quartet, Westermann is, “staggeringly powerful; mind-blowing”–Frank Gehry.

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund. Call the Box Office at 207.873.7000 to obtain YAAF tickets. Pay it forward! Donate to YAAF here.

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