Ted Riederer

The Antagonist Movement was formed by a group of unknown artists in 2000. Begun in bars and clubs of the Lower East Side, the movement promoted lesser-known works by up-and-coming talent. Over the last thirteen years the Antagonist Movement has grown and expanded from its base in New York to show in cities around the world, including Berlin, Lisbon, and Quito. This film documents the entire history of the Antagonist Movement and the artists involved, employing animation, stop-motion film techniques, interviews, and a killer soundtrack that spans the globe.

The Dolls of Lisbon is NYC's Antagonist Art Movement's latest exploit inspired by the Zapatista Dolls of Mexico, a souvenir that traveled the world symbolizing a rebellion against the legacy of Andy Warhol's commodification of art.

This documentary traces the journey of fifteen young, talented New York Artists to Berlin, as they meet and join forces with their German counterparts. Together, the American and German artists explore artistic ideas and concepts while collaborating on original projects that push conventional boundaries. Original musical scores and animated artwork complement and enhance this provocative examination of western contemporary art and the ongoing tension between commercialism and creativity for its own sake.