I Know a Man...Ashley Bryan
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Earnest docu about inspiring African American artist.
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I Know a Man...Ashley Bryan
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What's the Story?
I KNOW A MAN…ASHLEY BRYAN follows the 92-year-old award-winning artist as he talks about his life and work, shows some of his process, and travels the world inspiring adults and children with his enthusiasm, gratitude, and deep appreciation of the beauty in everyone and everything. We also see him preparing for a museum exhibit, reading from some of the books he's illustrated, working with puppets, and more. We see how his richly-varied life experiences have influenced his work, from being discriminated against in art school admissions, serving in the military during World War II, and listening to famed cellist Pablo Casals rehearse Bach, as well as his life on a small island off the coast of Maine.
Is It Any Good?
This earnest documentary has its heart in the right place and an admirable subject, but it doesn't make connections or transitions that give the viewer the feeling of watching a story. I Know a Man…Ashley Bryan is interesting and inspirational but would work better as part of an educational unit about American art, or the African American experience, which would provide some much-needed context for why the filmmakers chose this subject, or how Bryan and his work fit into modern African American culture and heritage.
That being said, kids old enough to have patience with the adult perspective will find a lot to admire about Bryan. They'll learn a lot about art and some aspects of history that Bryan lived through, and they'll hopefully be inspired to appreciate their own value and uniqueness and to find a creative outlet of their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how I Know a Man…Ashley Bryan shows he's a good role model. What do you like about him? How does he inspire you?
What do you think Bryan means when he says an artist can "transform the sorrow if he paints a picture of it"? Has creating artwork ever helped you feel better about something?
What kinds of art do you like to make? If you could try anything you haven't done before, what would it be? Sculpting, acting, dancing, painting, writing songs or poetry?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 30, 2016
- Director: Richard Kane
- Studio: Kane Lewis Productions
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Gratitude, Perseverance
- Run time: 57 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 7, 2020
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