Close to four years after getting briskly acquainted with the screen prowess of actress Kerry Lacy in 2017 short, Viola, I remained watchful of her movements in hopes that I would hear more about the short film saga and her other endeavors. Gradually this led me to discover her new partnership with Taiwanese-American director Cinder Chou at the time as filming went underway for the independent queer action romantic comedy-drama, Artist Unknown which now finds Lacy in her debut lead role from a script by Chou.
It’s not long from the start of the movie before we get to see a little of what Lacy’s got in her arsenal in the role of Juniper, a self-defense instructor who gets ambushed by two would-be muggers just moments after impulsively buying a fifteen-dollar painting at a thrift store, and successfully fends them off thanks to the arrival of the police. Later while at the women’s MMA gym run by her live-in ex-girlfriend, Meg (Sam Jaikaran), she is approached by Penny (Sonia Mena) who seemingly takes an interest in having a one-on-one self-defense sesh with Juniper. Sparks fly, however, and it looks like love is in full bloom for the burgeoning couple, although it is just a matter of time before Juniper learns the true nature of Penny’s intentions, tasked with finding out the origins of the painting that was almost stolen from her, and realizing her self-worth in the face of new romance, and preparing for the chance to truly fight for what she believes in.
One of the things Chou wanted to accomplish with Artist Unknown was getting “real New York indie with the process”. I’m not all that familiar with the New York indie scene but as a native New Yorker, I definitely felt the aesthetics at play, particularly in part given how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the city in the last few years, and with conditions for filmmaking crews certainly more stringent than before. Imaginably, it suits a project of this kind – an intimate drama that deals with close relationships and friendships while exploring narratives large enough to make way for character development and story progression. Far from cramped or hampered in any way, Artist Unknown makes ample use of its ingredients and elements, with lithe storytelling and direction from Chou, and compelling performances from a wonderful cast.
Lacy proves herself to be apt and formidable in the lead role, flexing some of her best muscles in both dramatic and action fronts. Her screen chemistry with Mena is both compelling and inviting, gradually taking shape as their roles go through the motions and take on the inextricable trials that await them as the story moves forward. You even see some of this in Juniper’s relationship to Meg which is strictly platonic from the start of the film.
There is a reason why Juniper is in the financial and living state she is in, which speaks aplenty to Juniper’s own need for growth. You can appreciate how tight-knit Juniper’s circle is, especially with Meg given their history. Meg’s short-fused temperament notwithstanding, she’s decent and caring to a fault, and her role in the events that follow balances things out excellently in the long haul.
Juniper also shares some more of this deep introspection – as well as fondness for Amazonian lore – with art historian and mutual friend to Meg, Leslie (Daryl Lathon), who in my view, has one of the best lines in the script which I feel speaks to the inherent purpose of this film, and that it delivers as well as it does for me makes it all the more rewarding. Par for the course is the action per Chou’s vision, and there are only two major fight scenes in the film, the second which primarily pits Juniper against Cedric (Walker Hare), a hulking misogynist and petty criminal who wants what he thinks he deserves and has no compunction about putting his hands on a woman. As far as antagonists go, Hare delivers a screen villain worthy of a challenge we can get behind Juniper in overcoming.
Chou’s worked on numerous sets of various feature and television productions for the better part of fifteen years now and only began directing in 2015. Making her mark with Artist Unknown, I encourage anyone who reads this site – and usually with a targeted interest in action – to take up any opportunity they can to check this out once it hits the festival circuit. With a solid cast, a robust score and smartly choreographed and shot fight action designed by Francesca Morabito, Artist Unknown is an intimate, charming and beautifully-crafted bruiser of a movie, and while you don’t need to be a New Yorker to relate, this born-and-raised native does.
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