Notes from the CIFF: Review of "One Bad Cat"

by Nicole Bryson:

An intertwined story of debauchery and redemption, One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story candidly documents the life and art of Cleveland outsider artist Albert Wagner (1924-2006). Wagner, born in Arkansas, brought his family north to Cleveland in 1941. Shortly thereafter, he fell in love and married his wife, Magnolia, but lived a life of wine and women until the age of 50 when the Reverend was called by God to help bring salvation to him and others through painting.

Director Thomas G. Miller begins the journey by quickly situating the viewer into their environment. The opening credits display as shots of the self-taught artist’s flat, colorful works appear collaged on the screen while others, like the monumental “Flee from Egypt,” are creatively shown as a three-dimensional ride through the piece. The first scenes open with traveling footage of Cleveland’s landscape from the landmarks of downtown, through University Circle and into East Cleveland to the unique dwelling of the Reverend Albert Wagner. The bluesy harmonica score fills out the tone and sets the stage.

The tale of the Reverend unfolds with humor and tragedy through dialogues and interviews with Wagner, his abundant and far-reaching friends, family, and supporters. The storyline moves smoothly through lust and hurt, miracles and religion, inspiration and truth, while underlining Wagner’s message to his community through art and ministry-a message that attempts to untangle racial tensions and the realities of segregation and poverty. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to determine if art can redeem a man’s soul.

One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story was awarded “Best Documentary” at the Santa Barbara Film Fest in February. The final screening at the Cleveland International Film Festival will be March 15 at 415 pm with a special film forum following the movie. After Cleveland, the film will be shown at the Ann Arbor Film Fest on March 27 and the Nashville Film Festival in April.

• View the Trailer for One Bad Cat
• Read our interview with filmmaker, Thomas Miller
• Learn more about the Cleveland International Film Festival

^{(photo of Albert Wagner courtesy of Tesseract Films/Abe Frajndlich)}