This MLK Day at Hyde Park Art Center, Pentimenti is proud to premiere “The Next Act is Freedom,” (18min) a document of the Resilience Arts Festival in October 2025 — a first-of-its-kind convening of artists impacted by the criminal legal system, presented by Mud Theatre Project and The Chicago Torture Justice Center. Exploring themes of healing and re-entry, the film presents four days of performance and poetry, as well as conversations with police torture survivors, currently incarcerated writers, and abolitionist advocates.  

Filmmakers: Mariam Aejaz, Mary Huber, Sumiah Salloum, Toni Smalls, Drew Smalls-Verneau

"Making the Short Documentary" Instructors: Brian Ashby, Giorgia Harvey, Mike David Thomas

Learn more about MLK 2026: Chaos or Community at Hyde Park Art Center

A free screening of the award-winning, critically acclaimed documentary about the artist & Marine H.C. Westermann, voiced by Ed Harris! Q&A and panel discussion to follow with the film’s Editor, Co-Writer, and Co-Producer, Brian Ashby. 

Reserve a Seat | Link

Northfield and St. Olaf College community members are invited to attend the Minnesota premiere of the documentary film “Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea,” followed by a Q&A with the film’s Editor, Co-Writer, and Co-Producer, Brian Ashby. Sponsored by the Department of Sociology, the Department of Art and Art History, and Film and Media Studies.

NOTE: 86 minute film screening to start at 7PM, followed by a 30-minute Q&A. Projection will be 2-D.

Event Link

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a 3D documentary film 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. 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 documentary 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 Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, along with interviews with artist Ed Ruscha, architect Frank Gehry, and many others. The film also includes music by Laurie Anderson (with the Kronos Quartet) and Terry Allen, and a score by Tomeka Reid.

Tickets are free. A 5 pm reception in the Manton Research Center reading room precedes the event. A Q&A with Brian Ashby, one of the film’s producers, follows the screening. Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524.

This program is made possible by Jonas and Betsy Dovydenas.

Post-screening discussion with subjects Terry Allen, Jo Harvey Allen, Happy Price, and Westermann writer/director Leslie Buchbinder.

Tickets are available now via the theater's website.

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a 3-D documentary film about the life and work of artist and marine H.C. ("Cliff") Westermann, voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others. The film is executive produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto. Westermann features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur "Genius Grant" winner Tomeka Reid.

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is an immersive documentary exploration of the beguiling, surreal artworks he made to process the horrors he witnessed on the front lines. The film reveals ways in which Westermann protected his empathic spirit—and sanity—by 'sculpting' his body, artworks, friendships and his hand-hewn house. Themes of resiliency, hope, and humor emerge from Westermann's art-filled letters to family and friends, voiced by Ed Harris, and from a beautifully composed score by Tomeka Reid, a current guest lecturer and resident artist at Dartmouth. 

D: Leslie Buchbinder, US, 2023, 1h26m

Discussion follows with Tomeka Reid, who composed the score for the film.

TICKETS

On Saturday, April 26th at 5pm, Pentimenti Productions, in collaboration with EXPO Chicago, will present a special screening of Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea at AMC River East 21 (Theater 9). The screening will be followed by a post-screening Q&A with Westermann writer & director Leslie Buchbinder, Art Institute of Chicago curator Thea Liberty Nichols, and artist & architect Charlie Vinz. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required — please claim your free ticket here. 

Westermann is a 3-D documentary film 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. Our documentary explores themes of resiliency, hope, and humor with a script culled from over a thousand of Westermann’s letters and audio interviews – voiced by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris.

The film was conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, William T. Wiley, Billy Al Bengston, and other artist-pals, along with his beloved sister, Martha Westermann Renner. The film is executive produced by the internationally acclaimed artist, KAWS, along with award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, whose prior projects include Won’t You Be My Neighbor and Little Richard: I Am Everything. Westermann features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson (with the Kronos Quartet); Terry Allen; and Tomeka Reid, MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner, composed the original score.

A documentary film that chronicles the story of a marine veteran who navigated the profound traumas of war by making art, becoming a hero to generations of artists, including his friends Ed Ruscha and Frank Gehry, among others interviewed in this immersive film. Narrated by Academy Award Nominee Ed Harris.

TICKETS

Free But Ticketed

Dive into the extraordinary life of artist H.C. Westermann, a Marine veteran who navigated the profound traumas of war by making art and subsequently became a hero to generations of artists.

Westermann is a documentary about artist, Marine, and acrobat H.C. (Cliff) Westermann. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Westermann’s dramatic life can be traced through beguiling, surreal artworks he made to process the horrors he witnessed on the front lines. Follow how Westermann protected his empathic spirit—and sanity—by "sculpting" his body, artworks, friendships, his hand-hewn house, and his letters to friends and family. Featuring four-time Academy Award nominee Ed Harris as the voice of Westermann. [86 min; documentary; English]

Before the film, head over to the Eskenazi Museum of Art from 12:15-12:45pm for a gallery talk and activity related to the museum's Westermann piece Cliff, which was a collaboration between the artist and his wife. Free, registration required.

TICKETS

Followed by a post-screening conversation with writer and director Leslie Buchbinder

“Staggeringly powerful; mind-blowing” — Frank Gehry during Hammer Museum post-screening discussion

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea” is a documentary film about the life and work of artist and marine H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann, voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks. The film reveals how 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. Executive produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, “Westermann” features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner Tomeka Reid.

We're thrilled to announce that Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea will screen twice at the Kansas City Art Institute's Artspace as part of Imprint, an exhibition that surveys the rich 60-plus year legacy of printmaking at KCAI and celebrates master printer and alumnus Jack Lemon, along with Landfall Press. Westermann worked with Lemon at Landfall on numerous prints, including his series of lithographs titled "See America First." Westermann will screen on February 15th and 20th at 2pm in the Artspace Screening Room.

Screenings are free and open to the public;
to RSVP, email artspace@kcai.edu or call 816-802-3571.

We're thrilled to announce that Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea will screen twice at the Kansas City Art Institute's Artspace as part of Imprint, an exhibition that surveys the rich 60-plus year legacy of printmaking at KCAI and celebrates master printer and alumnus Jack Lemon, along with Landfall Press. Westermann worked with Lemon at Landfall on numerous prints, including his series of lithographs titled "See America First." Westermann will screen on February 15th and 20th at 2pm in the Artspace Screening Room.

Screenings are free and open to the public;
to RSVP, email artspace@kcai.edu or call 816-802-3571.

Film screening — followed by discussion with artists & filmmakers — 3pm
Mini art exhibition — with West African food from Dozzy’s Grill — 3-5pm

Congregating Creativity profiles four multidisciplinary Chicago artists — Dozzy Ibekwe, Max Li, Ameera Pernebsati Lys, and Messejah Washington — currently in residence at Woodlawn’s First Presbyterian Church, as well as the program that is transforming the church and its community by providing free studio space to South Side artists.

The film was collectively created in fall 2024 by eight students in HPAC and Pentimenti Productions’ course Making The Short Documentary.

FREE ADMISSION - MORE INFO

TICKETS

The Movie Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary about the life and work of artist and Marine H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann. It explores how his experiences in World War II and the Korean War influenced his surreal artworks. Narrated by Ed Harris and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, the film Features interviews with prominent figures like Ed Ruscha and Frank Gehry.

FESTIVAL PAGE

The annual Oregon Independent Film Festival© returns for our 14th festival season, showcasing the best independent cinema of past year in historic venues across the magnificent state of Oregon.

Dedicated to discovering the greatest new filmmakers, the Oregon Independent Film Festival searches the globe to find the most innovative and engaging movies of the year, to screen the best new work, alongside hollywood premieres, together in the legendary cinema houses of the pacific northwest, as part of our mission to promote the majestic state of Oregon as a global film tourism destination.

A documentary about the life and work of artist H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann, voiceacted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others.

As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks.

The film is executive produced by KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, whose projects include "Won’t You Be My Neighbor," and "Best of Enemies.". Featuring music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by Tomeka Reid.

WINNER: Best Director - Leslie Buchbinder

WINNER: Best Documentary

Eugene Art House Cinemas
492 E 13th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401

In collaboration with Rhodes College, Crosstown Arts presents a special screening of Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea in Crosstown Theater.

Crosstown Theater
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Tickets: $5 at the door
Doors at 6:30 pm | Film begins at 7:00 pm (sharp!)

Leslie Buchbinder / 2023 / 86 minutes / Not Rated

A 3-D documentary film about the life and work of artist and marine H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann, voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks. The film is executive produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, whose prior projects include “Little Richard: I Am Everything” and “The Thief Collector.” Westermann features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner Tomeka Reid.

The Crosstown Arts Film Series showcases a diverse collection of independent, international, historically significant, artistic, experimental, cult, underground, and documentary features.

TICKETS

1ST SCREENING: 5:30 PM
2ND SCREENING: 7:30 PM

A 3D documentary film that chronicles the story of a marine veteran who navigated the profound traumas of war by making art, becoming a hero to generations of artists, including his friends Ed Ruscha and Frank Gehry, among others interviewed in this immersive film.

Runtime: 1h26

TICKETS

Director: Leslie Buchbinder

Documentary Feature, United States, 2023, 91 min, Color

This film is a documentary about the life and work of artist and U.S. Marine H.C. Westermann, voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others.

As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann's dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks.

The film is executive-produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, whose prior projects include Won't You Be My Neighbor, Best of Enemies, and more. The film features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur Genius Grant winner Tomeka Reid.

FREE ADMISSION

St. Louis Art Museum
Friday, September 6, 2024 | 6–8 pm CDT | Free

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary film 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 was conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder. It features interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, William T. Wiley, Billy Al Bengston, and other artists, along with Westermann’s beloved sister, Martha Westermann Renner. 86 minutes.

FREE ADMISSION

NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE

As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks. Processing years of horror, Westermann turned to art for control and protection – all while “walking the tightrope” of life, death, hope, and creation.

TICKETS / INFO

On July 25th, the National Stereoscopic Association will host a screening of Westermann as part of its annual 3D Convention in Wichita, KS. With 1,000+ members, the National Stereoscopic Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1974, whose goals are to promote the study, collection and use of stereo photography. 3D-Con is an annual gathering of stereoscopic photographers, filmmakers, artists, historians and collectors. Westermann producer and co-writer Harrison Sherrod is one of four guest speakers at the conference.

Followed by a post-screening panel discussion moderated by the Music Box’s Steve Prokopy featuring writer and director, Leslie Buchbinder, editor and producer, Brian Ashby, and co-writer and producer Harrison Sherrod

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a 3-D documentary film about the life and work of artist and marine H.C. (“Cliff”) Westermann, voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris, conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and featuring interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks. The film reveals how 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. Executive produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, Westermann features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur "Genius Grant" winner Tomeka Reid.

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea

Director: Leslie Buchbinder

BUY TICKETS

Best Score - Tomeka Reid

Best Song - "We Head Out" by Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet

The first 3-D Film Screening in our festival's history!

This documentary about the life and work of artist and marine H.C. “Cliff” Westermann (voice-acted by four-time Academy-Award nominee Ed Harris), was conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder, and features interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, and many others.

As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who struggled with the ramifications of modern warfare, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through his beguiling, surreal artworks.

The film is executive produced by the international art icon KAWS, and award-winning documentary producer Caryn Capotosto, whose prior projects include "Won’t You Be My Neighbor," "Best of Enemies," and more. Westermann features music by legendary artists Laurie Anderson, the Kronos Quartet, and Terry Allen, with an original score by MacArthur Genius Grant winner Tomeka Reid.

3-D FESTIVAL PREMIERE

12:00pm

June 14th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14

Pentimenti is honored to screen Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea at the Woodward Theater, one of Cincinnati's most renowned music and arts venues. More info below!

June 10th, 2024 | 7:30 show

Woodward Theater | 1404 Main St, (Cincinnati, OH)

BUY TICKETS

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary film 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 how 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.

On Friday, May 31st, from 6:00 – 8:30 PM the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum will screen Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea, a film about the life and work of artist, marine, and acrobat H.C. (Cliff) Westermann. This movie is voice acted by Ed Harris and features interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, William T. Wiley, Billy Al Bengston, and other artist-pals, along with his beloved sister, Martha Westermann Renner. This screening will also feature a special introductory video by Director Leslie Buchbinder.

Next month, on Thursday, June 27th, from 6:00 – 8:30 PM we are screening Hairy Who and the Chicago Imagists. It brings to life the milieu of Chicago in the 1960s, and also showcases the legacy of the Imagists’ work in contemporary art production today, from Jeff Koons to Chris Ware. Themes in the narrative include the Imagists’ emergence within the national context of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the rise and fall of taste within art history, and the uncharacteristic equality afforded to women artists among this Chicago group.

Both films are free for members.

$10 for guests and non-members.

For more info, and to RSVP, please visit the Ohr-O’Keefe’s event page here.