Paladin will release THE BAREFOOT ARTIST, a new documentary by Glenn Holsten and Daniel Traub about noted artist Lily Yeh, whose extraordinary public art installations have transformed numerous cities and towns—and countless lives– throughout the world, it was announced by company president Mark Urman. The film will open in Academy qualifying runs in NY on December 5th (IFC Film Center) and in Los Angeles on December 18th, before expanding to select additional markets.

A visually stunning and deeply emotional film, THE BAREFOOT ARTIST chronicles the long and colorful life of Yeh, a Philadelphia-based artist who has committed herself to creating community-based art projects in some of the world’s most troubled areas. Beginning with an unprecedented sculpture garden in the projects of North Philly that, eighteen years later, became known as “The Village of Arts and Humanities,” the film also shows Yeh in action in various far-flung locations such as Kenya and Rwanda, where she teaches survivors of war and calamity to make murals and build sculptures drawn from their own experience. Working with Yeh on these projects, they are able to regain hope, a sense of purpose, and a belief that life can be about creation as well as destruction.

Going beyond her work, the film also covers Yeh’s remarkable personal journey, one that takes her from a privileged childhood in China, through her education in America, marriage, motherhood, and the development of a remarkable creative career. It also documents her return to China, where she makes surprising discoveries about her family and reveals to us the true reason why she has dedicated her life to bringing art to places where beauty is seldom found.

About the film Urman says, “Lily Yeh is an amazing, inspirational woman, and this film, which is as up-close and personal as any I’ve ever seen, provides a rare glimpse into how an artist lives, thinks, feels, and creates. I look forward to working with Glenn and Daniel in bringing her story to as wide a public as possible.” Holsten, a veteran Philadelphia-based documentarian, co-directed THE BAREFOOT ARTIST with Traub, a celebrated photographer in his own right, (who also served as the film’s cinematographer), and whom, as Lily’s son, we literally watch grow-up on camera, courtesy of his extensive collection of family footage.

In a joint statement the filmmakers say, “The Paladin team have an exceptional track record working with documentaries, and they responded passionately to our film and to Lily’s story. We are thrilled to be partnered with them on the film’s release, and know they will match our commitment to the project.”
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