A documentary of how kindness can go a long way, “Shelter Island” is inspiring, entertaining and recommended!
TITLE: Shelter Island
DATE OF FILM RELEASE: 2011
DURATION: 77 Minutes
COMPANY: Shleter Island/Glass Eye Pix/TDC Entertainment
RATED: NOT RATED
RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2014
Directed by Michael Canzoniero
Produced by Shawn Bell, Michael Canzoniero, Carl MacLaren
Executive Producer: Mitchell Stuart
Music by Aaron Drake
Cinematography by Shawn Bell
Edited by Ari Feldman
Starring:
Harald Olson
James Olkinkiewicz
Alex Olinkiewicz
Brittany Olinkiewicz
Outsider artist Harald Olson and his eccentric patron Jimmy Olinkiewicz found each other on Shelter Island, NY, and teamed up to sell paintings roadside. The semi-homeless painter and the father of an autistic child were magically connected, and together took friendship to a new level when they secured a major gallery showing of Olsons unconventional work in NYC. Shelter Island is an elegant, beautiful tale of how art, compassion and creativity can unlock hidden potential in unexpected places
For Shelter Island artist Harald Olson, his artwork has captivated many people in New York.
But one of the reasons that Olson has garnered plenty of attention is because he is homeless. And one of the people who believes in the work of Olson is gas station owner/contractor/single father Jimmy Olinkiewicz. A father of an autistic child and a man who believes in Olson’s work, and promotes it.
But what happens when Harald gets the once in a lifetime opportunity by artist/sculptor David Rankin to showcase his paintings at a Chelsea art gallery in Manhattan?
Directed by Michael Canzoniero, “Shelter Island” was a film that successfully met its goal on Kickstarter and has won several awards.
Michael Canzoniero’s “Shelter Island” is a entertaining documentary about a homeless but yet talented artist named Harald Olson, who scours dumps for paint and usable paint brushes which he would create works of art that has captivated those who appreciate his artwork.
For gas station owner Jimmy Olinkiewicz, after seeing Harald paint on his old gas pumps, noticing his talent, he gave Harald an outlet to paint but also promoting his work.
And as the documentary focuses on how Harald is able to paint, but we also get to see how this talented painter works despite being unemployed and putting everything towards his paintings.
But when Jimmy asked his friend, renown artist/sculptor and “Shelter Island” resident David Rankin to give Harald an opportunity, sure enough, Rankin was able to give Harald an opportunity to promote his paintings at a Chelsea art gallery in Manhattan.
The film also shows how Jimmy Olinkiewicz is not only a compassionate friend, he’s also a father who cares for his son Alex, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. And how this single father tries to balance his time with family, his work at the gas station but also as a busy contractor. But most importantly, his willingness to help Harald and give him positive advice to deal with life.
For the most part, Michael Canzoniero’s documentary goes in-depth of showcasing the different lives of both men but how they came together and are trying to do something very positive together and I hope that this relationship will continue and perhaps Harald will be able to get out of the streets and do something even greater with his talent.
Overall, “Shelter Island” is an entertaining documentary about one man’s compassion to promote and showcase one man’s artwork and a man who has artistic talent but because of his situation in life, never really had the opportunity to get his feet on the ground and showcase his art until now.
A documentary of how kindness can go a long way, “Shelter Island” is inspiring, entertaining and recommended!
