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Examination of talent reveals a demented, if likeable, personality

By Burl Burlingame

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 10, 2008

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It's probably impossible to underestimate what an enormous pain in the ass "gonzo artist" David Choe must be, judging by his behavior in this sprawling, affectionate film, but it's clear that he's not just a terrific, gifted artist. Choe's also likable and entertaining and curiously endearing. You just don't want him living next door. Or dating your daughter. Especially not your daughter.

"DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE"

United States

Directed by Harry Kim

Screens 9 p.m. Oct. 13 and 7 p.m. Oct. 15

HH

Choe's most-noted style comes from his wielding of spray cans on public property, and he dropped out of art school to become essentially a graffiti vandal. He's equally at home with mixed media and traditional art forms and is currently riding a pop-art wave thanks to a groundbreaking show of works he created in Japanese prison, using shoyu and urine as his medium.

Yes, you read that right.

Choe has had struggles with the status quo his whole life -- to the point where he has an obsessive need to travel, to experience a new landscape every morning -- and his early years are a rap sheet rather than a resume: Burglary, forgery, trespassing, vandalism, assault, drug use, sex addiction ... all of which are symptoms of various psychological maladies. But the drugs prescribed to mute these head demons also knock the teeth out of his artistic muse.

Tough call. It helps that Choe is also preternaturally cheerful and engaging about all this. The boy needs help -- or a cage -- but if he were an average citizen, he wouldn't be a fab-pop artistic icon, raking in the dough, and we wouldn't have the luxury of experiencing his unique vision.

Although "Dirty Hands" is too long by far -- it arcs about 20 minutes shorter than the actual end -- it's always entertaining, even if it's passing-by-a-car-crash fascinating. Note: There's plenty of twisted sexual imagery and cheerful verbal vulgarity.

Hawaii International Film Festival

Six films are nominated for the Hawaii International Film Festival's top award, the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award, in the category of documentary feature. The award recognizes artistic and technical excellence and contributions to cross-cultural understanding. Jurors are actor Cliff Curtis of "Whale Rider," "Fracture," "Sunshine" and "Life Free or Die Hard"; Don King, director of "Beautiful Son"; and Grace Lee, anchor at KGMB 9 TV.

» Place: Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18, except when otherwise noted

» Dates: Thursday through Oct. 19

» Tickets: $10 per film; $9 students, seniors, children, military. Opening- and closing-night films $15. Fast passes also available.

» Call: 550-8457 (TIKS) or visit www.hiff.org Tickets ordered online (print them from your computer) include a $1 service fee.

» Program guides: Available at Starbucks at Bishop and Merchant streets, Ward Center, Kapahulu, Kahala Mall, Manoa Marketplace, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe and Pearl City. Or visit www.hiff.org.

SUNSET ON THE BEACH

A sampling of HIFF films may be viewed free at this Sunset on the Beach at Queen's Surf in Waikiki. Screenings begin at sundown.

» Saturday: "Chief" (short from Hawaii), "The Wrecking Crew" (documentary feature from U.S. about musicians in the 1960s)

» Sunday: "The First Hawaiian Snowball Fight" (short from Hawaii), "The Legend of Chang Apana" (short from Hawaii), "Sparrow" (feature from Hong Kong; in Cantonese with subtitles)

It's probably impossible to underestimate what an enormous pain in the ass "gonzo artist" David Choe must be, judging by his behavior in this sprawling, affectionate film, but it's clear that he's not just a terrific, gifted artist. Choe's also likable and entertaining and curiously endearing. You just don't want him living next door. Or dating your daughter. Especially not your daughter.

"DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE"

United States

Directed by Harry Kim

Screens 9 p.m. Oct. 13 and 7 p.m. Oct. 15

HH
Choe's most-noted style comes from his wielding of spray cans on public property, and he dropped out of art school to become essentially a graffiti vandal. He's equally at home with mixed media and traditional art forms and is currently riding a pop-art wave thanks to a groundbreaking show of works he created in Japanese prison, using shoyu and urine as his medium.

Yes, you read that right.

Choe has had struggles with the status quo his whole life -- to the point where he has an obsessive need to travel, to experience a new landscape every morning -- and his early years are a rap sheet rather than a resume: Burglary, forgery, trespassing, vandalism, assault, drug use, sex addiction ... all of which are symptoms of various psychological maladies. But the drugs prescribed to mute these head demons also knock the teeth out of his artistic muse.

Tough call. It helps that Choe is also preternaturally cheerful and engaging about all this. The boy needs help -- or a cage -- but if he were an average citizen, he wouldn't be a fab-pop artistic icon, raking in the dough, and we wouldn't have the luxury of experiencing his unique vision.

Although "Dirty Hands" is too long by far -- it arcs about 20 minutes shorter than the actual end -- it's always entertaining, even if it's passing-by-a-car-crash fascinating. Note: There's plenty of twisted sexual imagery and cheerful verbal vulgarity.

Hawaii International Film Festival

Six films are nominated for the Hawaii International Film Festival's top award, the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award, in the category of documentary feature. The award recognizes artistic and technical excellence and contributions to cross-cultural understanding. Jurors are actor Cliff Curtis of "Whale Rider," "Fracture," "Sunshine" and "Life Free or Die Hard"; Don King, director of "Beautiful Son"; and Grace Lee, anchor at KGMB 9 TV.

» Place: Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18, except when otherwise noted

» Dates: Thursday through Oct. 19

» Tickets: $10 per film; $9 students, seniors, children, military. Opening- and closing-night films $15. Fast passes also available.

» Call: 550-8457 (TIKS) or visit www.hiff.org Tickets ordered online (print them from your computer) include a $1 service fee.

» Program guides: Available at Starbucks at Bishop and Merchant streets, Ward Center, Kapahulu, Kahala Mall, Manoa Marketplace, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe and Pearl City. Or visit www.hiff.org.

SUNSET ON THE BEACH

A sampling of HIFF films may be viewed free at this Sunset on the Beach at Queen's Surf in Waikiki. Screenings begin at sundown.

» Saturday: "Chief" (short from Hawaii), "The Wrecking Crew" (documentary feature from U.S. about musicians in the 1960s)

» Sunday: "The First Hawaiian Snowball Fight" (short from Hawaii), "The Legend of Chang Apana" (short from Hawaii), "Sparrow" (feature from Hong Kong; in Cantonese with subtitles)

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