about the film

Beautiful Losers celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation. In the early 1990s a loose-knit group of like-minded outsiders found common ground at a small New York City 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 from 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. Director Aaron Rose was also the owner of the Alleged Gallery, which started the movement. The film stars a selection of the artists involved, including well-known names like directors Harmony Korine and Mike Mills, who recount both their personal stories and the process of artistic creation. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth. Perhaps most importantly, it’s an inspiring and hopeful tale of a group of misfits who found a way to transform their own alienation from mainstream society into beautiful art, gently, but unequivocally on their own terms.

about the director

Aaron Rose is an artist, writer and independent curator currently living in Los Angeles. Rose founded the highly influential Alleged Gallery in New York, curating shows there for ten years. In the 1990s, he produced numerous short films and worked as a producer/director for MTV Networks. Since 2002, Rose has been working as a freelance curator.

festivals

• 2008 South By Southwest Film Festival
• London Film Festival
• Edinburgh Film Festival
• Hot Docs Film Festival