IndieWire’s Kate Erbland has said something astonishing in her 4.21 Michael review.
“IF you’re someone who’s ABLE to separate the art from the artist”???
Art and artists have always been separate entities or propositions. Artists, being human and therefore flawed or worse, are never as noble and beautiful and radiant as their art.
Artists inevitably draw from their own trials and tribulations in the creation of this or that song or sculpture or poem or performance, but at the end of the day they’re basically conduits — great art comes from some mystical truth galaxy but it only becomes “art” by passing through them like lightning.
Polanski’s art has always been greater than Polanski the man. Obviously. And — hello? — they’re not the same.
Erbland seems to regard this understanding with suspicion. She seems to be saying that anyone who can separate art from the artist — to basically see them as separate and unequal — is some kind of uncaring sociopath.
Like you, I love the current and the spunk and the edgy technique that Jackson used to create those songs and bust out those brilliant dance moves. I can compartmentalize. I can put the child molesting in a steel suitcase and leave it in the trunk of the car while watching Michael in a theatre.
@marvengabriel Moonwalking at the @michaelthemovie Premier🕺🏽✨ @Universal Pictures De @Lionsgate #michaeljackson #michaelmovie #michaelbiopic #moonwalk #dance ♬ origineel geluid – StarRewind
@etalkctv From Colman Domingo finally responding to Paris Jackson’s critiques of the ‘Michael’ biopic to Janet Jackson reportedly fighting with Jermaine Jackson, here’s everything we know about the drama surrounding the Michael Jackson biopic. 👀 #ParisJackson #ColmanDomingo #JanetJackson #JermaineJackson #MichaelJackson ♬ original sound – etalk
@bendunningtattoo This is 20 minutes immediately after the Michael Jackson Movie ended….people did NOT want to leave!!! 🐐👑 I was lucky enough to see the Biopic 2 weeks early at the Global Fan Event in Berlin at the weekend! It’s amazing! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and for for you won’t stop moving!!!! You need to watch it when it releases on the 24th April!!! #mj #michaelmovie #biopic #michaeljackson #thriller @michaelthemovie @Universal Pictures @Lionsgate UK @Lionsgate @Uber Platz ♬ original sound – Ben Dunning
@russellhustleinc @michaelthemovie is INCREDIBLE🔥 Had to keep the party going to the parking lot!! @Lionsgate Did you guys get tickets yet???@Demetre @Furillo. @A.R. @Brittany Perry-Russell @IsaiahRussellBailey #RussellHustle #Dance #MichaelJackson @IMAX #imax ♬ You Rock My World – Michael Jackson