He’s shy. He’s square. He’s a very average person. And yet, as the trailer for the documentary Art Dealers shows, Adam Weiner (who makes all those claims himself) becomes extraverted, hip, and larger-than-life when he steps onstage to front revivalist-rock revivalists Low Cut Connie. The full documentary, which Weiner co-directed with first-time filmmaker Roy Power, will hit select theaters on Sept. 6 and will be available on demand for anyone not near select theaters on Oct. 1.
The two-minute trailer shows the artist rousing audiences as the rock & roll superhero Low Cut Connie and as mild-mannered Weiner, ruminating on his journey in a humble room with checkered curtains. “I do believe that average people are capable of great things,” he opines. He explains further: “I started this band when I was 31 years old, and I was already thinking that I would never have a career.” The grin on his face that soon follows in the clip, both in the interview and as he talks to his fans, shows how things have worked out.
The film’s tour of screenings begins at New York City’s Cinema Village on Sept. 6. Weiner will be present for a Q&A at the event, and Power will also participate in talks at some of the screenings.
“I am completely blown away by the response to this film and the music in it,” Weiner said in a statement. “These screening events are going to be ridiculous fun for me and everyone in the room. … We aim to make people laugh, cry, dance, and scream along with the film, and it’ll be fantastic to see it all in action at these screenings.”
After an Art Dealers screening last year at the Philadelphia Film Festival, Rolling Stone profiled the artist and spoke to him about another aspect of his personality that he explores in the film: his Jewish heritage. The interview took place within weeks of Hamas’ incursion into Israel, prompting Weiner to reflect on his friendship with Palestinian Americans. “By and large the world generally hates both of us, Jews and Palestinians,” Weiner said. “Ultimately, they don’t really want us in their countries. It’s the kind of prejudice that can either harden you to violence, or turn you into an artist, someone who paints the world from the margins. I hope for more art, and less violence.”
Art Dealers screening tour:
Sept. 6 – New York, NY @ Cinema Village
Sept. 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ PFS East
Sept. 14 – Des Moines, IA @ Varsity Theater
Sept. 15 – Wichita, KS @ Tallgrass Film Center
Sept. 17 – Denver, CO @ SIE Film Center
Sept. 18 – Dallas, TX @ Texas Theater
Sept. 22 – Austin, TX @ Austin Film Society
Sept. 23 – Portland, OR @ Cinema21
Sept. 25 – San Francisco, CA @ Roxie Theater
Sept. 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lumiere Theatre