An engrossing document of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's efforts to build a 24 1/2-mile-long, 18-foot-high fence of white fabric across the hills of northern California. The artists' struggle with local ranchers, environmentalists and state bureaucrats ends when the fence is unfurled, reuniting the community in a celebration of beauty. Nominated at the 1978 Academy Awards®.
Okay,I admit it:I have been a fan of Christo for some years now (I love the idea of textured art),since I saw photographs of some of his more controversial pieces (the wrapping of the Reichstag building in Berlin,Germany,etc.). In 'Running Fence',Christo & his long time life partner,Jeanne Claude are seen going through the long,involved process of applying for a permit to construct his pet project,The Running Fence,originally begun in 1972,and completed in 1976,and being fought tooth & nail by some of California's more closed minded philistines. Even after the permit is awarded to Christo & Jeanne Claude,the locals threaten legal action if the fence is constructed outside of the legal limits originally set fourth. David & Albert Maysles & Charlotte Zerwin (Gimmie Shelter)turn their camera on all of the b.s. that Christo & Jeanne Claude have to go through for art,in their usual non narrative style,in this short (only about 58 minutes)documentary film that shows how perseverance wins out. Mainly spoken in English,but does have some French with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film has a bit of rude language,but pretty much nothing else to offend the eye.