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Austin Convention Center
SXSW Film Theater
500 E Cesar Chavez
In 2016, after a nasty election cycle exposed a cultural rift, many Americans were left asking, “what the hell just happened?” For underground cartoonist Matt Furie, the question was more surreal: his character Pepe the Frog had become a political pawn — tweeted by Donald Trump, condemned by Hillary Clinton, and declared a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League.
The film looks at how Pepe’s transformation—from stoner cartoon frog in 2007, to extremist icon in 2016—runs parallel to America’s own transformation into a more divisive, mean-spirited, and tribalist place. It’s a Frankenstein monster story of an artist battling to regain control of his mutated creation.Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Director
Arthur Jones
Credits
Director: Arthur Jones
Executive Producer: Wavelength Productions: Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Chicago Media Project: Steve Cohen, Paula Froele
Producer: Giorgio Angelini, Caryn Capotosto, Aaron Wickenden
Screenwriter: Giorgio Angelini, Arthur Jones, Aaron Wickenden
Cinematographer: Giorgio Angelini, Christian Bruno, Kurt Keppeler, Guy Mossman
Editor: Aaron Wickenden ACE, Katrina Taylor, Drew Blatman
Sound Designer: Lawerence Everson
Music: Ari Balouzian, Ryan Hope
Principal Cast: Matt Furie, Johnny Ryan, Lisa Hanawalt, Emily Heller, Chris Sullivan, Aiyana Udesen, Dale Beran, John Michael Greer, Adam Serwer, Aaron Sankin
Additional Credits: Co-Producer: Caitlin Ward, Co-Producer: Maggie Angelini, Co-Producer: Kurt Keppeler, Co-Producer: Kerry McLaughlin, Sound Editor/Mixer: Lawrence Everson, Animator: Arthur Jones, Animator: Jenna Caravello, Animator: Khylin Woodrow, Animator: Nicole Stafford
Primary Entry: Platinum Badge, Film Badge
Secondary Entry: Music Badge, Interactive Badge, Film Festival Wristband
Genre: Documentary
Screening Section: Festival Favorites
Screening Category: Documentary Feature
Country: United States
Language: English
Runtime: 93 mins