A quirky documentary about a colourful artist, set to tango music. This feature-length documentary explores the unusual life and work of Tom Kreisler (1938-2002), a major New Zealand artist who is still little known. Kreisler was a Jewish immigrant from Argentina who was sent to New Zealand at the age of 13. He developed a humorous, subversive approach to painting that was completely unlike the mainstream of New Zealand art, though today it is coming into its own. His low profile as an artist was not only because of his maverick style but also because he lived not in Auckland or Wellington but in New Plymouth.

Many of our country's leading artists appear in this documentary to emphasize his importance and to deplore the extent to which he has been overlooked. The film is rich in detail, including scenes shot in Mexico, a culture that fascinated Kreisler because it was so different from the New Plymouth in which he made his home and earned his living as a teacher.

72 minutes

'Tom Who?' was supported by Chartwell Trust and premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festivals 2015.

Now available to buy or rent on Vimeo. Click here.

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