Mike Diana is an outsider artist
working in comic books. Unlike what most would associate with the medium, Diana
uses his funny books to tackle subjects like the environment, consumerism, and
pedophilia. Through graphic depictions and dry social commentary Diana pushes
the boundaries of acceptable speech and taste so much so he has the distinction
of being the first person to be convicted of artistic obscenity.
BOILED ANGELS: THE TRIAL OF MIKE
DIANA opens with the following: "The uncensored art shown in this film is
deliberately and aggressively NON PC. It is meant to provoke, disturb,
shock, offend, and confront the viewer. If graphic depictions of sex and
violence disturb you, STOP watching the film NOW." It's the perfect way to
open the film as it contains imagery that will make many viewers uncomfortable.
And if you are unable to get past that imagery to see the tragedy of Diana's
story, the film has no interest in speaking to you. The film mirrors its subject’s
art in many ways while managing to remain true to the spirit of the
artist himself. After hearing Diana speak for a few moments, it's clear
that he is a kind man who uses satire to express his concerns about the world
around him.
Being raised in a Catholic home
with constant exposure to; images of the crucifixion, sermons about
burning in hell, and the denouncing of popular music had a profound impact on
Diana. The pious nature of the parishioners seemed to contradict the scandals
that surrounded the church. No one talked about hypocrisy or questioned the Holy
Father’s message, they simply tossed their tidings in the collection plate
and judged all the non-believers. It was during high school that Diana
began experimenting with different forms of creative expression and eventually
landed on illustration as his preferred medium.
After a few years of
self-publishing his comic BOILED ANGELS, a California cop came across one
of Diana's books. The officer decided the imagery bore a resemblance to the Gainesville
student murders that were at that point unsolved. He then informed the FBI of
his findings and Diana became a murder suspect. Once Diana was cleared of the
murder charges the local police decided to move forward with obscenity charges.
As the film points out the only action Diana took was moving a pen across a
blank sheet of paper and that was enough for the Florida DA.
While BOILED ANGELS is squarely set
in mid-90's Florida its story couldn't be more relevant, it is without question
dealing with what we as a society are going through right now. How you feel
about this film could be largely influenced by how you feel about speech.
We live in an era of trigger warnings and silencing. I personally have come to
believe that I in no way have the right to pass through life unoffended. In fact,
I will stand up for the rights of the most disgusting, personally offensive,
seemingly indefensible ideas to ensure that the right to self-expression will
never be diminished. No matter how you align yourself politically, the
rights of an NFL player to take a knee and those of a white supremacist in
Charlottesville, are (and SHOULD) be equally protected. Your speech and right
to self-expression are in no way more precious than anyone else's.
BOILED ANGELS: THE TRIAL OF
MIKE DIANA is the most important film screening at this year's Fantasia Film
Festival. Visually striking and frustratingly salient BOILED ANGELS is a rare
documentary that remembered to entertain while educating without ever
preaching.