October 21, 2009 by
Last night I saw a special screening of Erich Weiss' Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry at the Metro. Exploring the roots of American tattooing through the life of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the 73-minute documentary (and Weiss' first feature film), served up an incredibly well-researched history—spiritedly told by the tattoo world's last living legends. In fact, Michael Malone aka Rollo Banks took his own life in 2007, making Weiss' interview footage some of the last record of his work and life. Thanks to Weiss' deftly executed penetration into the the highly guarded and incredibly insular group of old school tattoo masters, artists, designers and fans of tattoo art can find an all-new appreciation for the cult, legacy and ideology behind American tattooing.
Although I was probably the only person in attendance without any tattoos, I think I might have gotten more out of this film than anyone else—that might also have to do with the fact that Sailor Jerry Rum sponsored the screening and the audience was nearly drunk before the title credits started! The whole time I kept thinking: these stories, this imagery, all the found ephemera has been so perfectly sorted and presented in such an honest and authentic way. Hori Smoku feels like so much more than a time capsule. The film is a genuine loveletter to Americana tattoo artistry and lore.
I'm especially glad the doc ignored Christian Audigier's entrepreneurial ambitions to mass market Ed Hardy and Von Douche—I mean, Von Dutch—on mainstream everything.
Besides the history lesson and entertainment value Hori Smoku gave me all new reasons for (and against) getting my own tattoos—I have so much more to think about now...! So whose got ink and where'd you get it done? I'd love photos and referrals if you've got 'em!
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