Prolific writer, multi-media artist and activist David Wojnarowicz (VOY-ne-ROH-vich) spent a lifetime wrestling the abusive demons from his childhood and creatively channeling his rage into becoming an outspoken warrior fighting for gay and women's rights, racial equality, healthcare, and a wide range of social issues.
For the first time ever, David's collection of journals, letters, recordings and films along with interviews with his closest collaborators, friends and lovers will reveal his life on-screen. A troubled and abusive childhood in suburban New Jersey led to a life on the streets of New York City by the age of 15, hustling to survive. David turned to art and writing at a time when queer artists were beginning to first fully explore their sexuality and representation in the arts in the late 70s, just before the AIDS crisis emerged.
The documentary is produced by World Of Wonder co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey and will be directed by Chris McKim. This trio most recently collaborated on the Emmy-winning documentary, Out of Iraq.
Wojnarowicz's generation of artists, including Keith Haring and Robert Mapplethorpe, transformed New York's Lower Eastside from crime-ridden squalor to the center of the art world. His photos and paintings gained early success, while his published books expanded his reach. His band started with Danceteria co-workers, 3 Teens Kill 4, was radical performance anarchy that regularly played the club scene; at times opening for Madonna early in her career. David's samples of ambient sounds and newscasts formed much of the music while also becoming early explorations of politics in his work.
The documentary is exceptionally timely in today's political landscape, from police brutality, gun control debates, the fight for healthcare, immigration, equality and diversity - David's work is as relevant today as it was in his time. The film will examine these issues through that work and add his voice to the resistance.
About World of Wonder: For more than two decades, award-winning production company World of Wonder has introduced audiences to new worlds, talent and ideas that have shaped culture. WOW is home to multi-platform programming from established and emerging talent, provocative documentaries, award-winning specials, and more. Programming highlights include: Emmy® Award winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" (VH1/Logo), "Million Dollar Listing" LA & NY (Bravo), "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" (Fuse), and "Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric" (National Geographic); award-winning films and documentaries including "Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures," "Menendez: Blood Brothers," "Inside Deep Throat," "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," "I Am Britney Jean," "In Vogue: The Editor's Eye," "Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking," "Monica in Black and White," Emmy-winning "The Last Beekeeper," and Emmy-winning "Out of Iraq". Seven of their films have premiered at the Sundance Film festival including "Becoming Chaz" and "Party Monster." World of Wonder has created a substantial digital footprint with its YouTube channel WOW Presents, SVOD digital platform WOW Presents Plus, along with an award-winning blog, The WOW Report. Co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey authored The World According to Wonder, celebrating 21 years of production, which can be found online at http://worldofwonder.net/. Randy and Fenton were honored with the IDA Pioneer Award in December 2014, celebrating exceptional achievement, leadership, and vision in the nonfiction and documentary community. World of Wonder creates out of a historic building/gallery space in the heart of Hollywood.
Videos