Dubbed the Weegee of the Wedgie, Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki has made a career of walking the line between art and exploitation. Many of his photos feature nudity and sometimes bondage, yet he is in high demand as both a fashion and art photographer. Among his fans are Richard Kern, Bjork and even Takashi Kitano, who expresses awe at how much fun Araki has doing his job. The spry, impish 64-year-old shutterbug may come off as a pervy uncle, but it's clear that everybody, including his female subjects, loves him. An original score by DJ Krush is put to great use as thousands of photos flash by, but Araki's early shots with his wife serve as the visual and emotional heart of this film.

[ close this window ]