Brand: A Second Coming (2015)

Brand: A Second Coming: Directed by Ondi Timoner. With Russell Brand, Simon Amstell, Andrew Antonio, Barbara Brand. Follows comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he dives headlong into drugs, sex u0026 fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realize that our culture feeds us bad ideas u0026 empty idols. Through his stand up, Brand explores his own true icons – Gandhi, Che Guevara, Malcolm X u0026 Jesus Christ- u0026 evolves from addict u0026 Hollywood star to an unexpected political disruptor u0026 newfound hero to the underserved. Will Brand hold fast against the roar of criticism to break out of the very system that built him?

“To call Russell Brand a polarizing figure in the realm pop culture would be something of an understatement. Over the years, the comedian, actor and author has concocted a public persona that is equal parts amusing and annoying, and there doesnu0026#39;t seem to be much middle ground when it comes to opinions of his particular – well, u0026quot;brandu0026quot; of humor. The documentary Brand: A Second Coming, which opened the 2015 SXSW Film Festival, seeks to explore the many facets of Brandu0026#39;s personality. Not a stone is left unturned here, from Brandu0026#39;s early days as a comedian and talk show host, to his headline-making romance with pop singer Katy Perry, to his current mission to spark change in the political and social climate.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhile much of the material is undeniably funny, director Ondi Timoner certainly isnu0026#39;t afraid to let things get a bit darker. Home video footage of Brand in his younger days, slumped against the wall of his apartment and smoking methamphetamine, offers a very candid representation of his well-documented battle with drug addiction. Timoner also examines Brandu0026#39;s recovery, which ultimately led to another addiction that was arguably just as harmful: sex. And of course, his highly publicized marriage to (and divorce from) Katy Perry doesnu0026#39;t escape the scrutiny of Timoneru0026#39;s camera.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut for every melancholy moment, there are just as many entertaining and engaging scenes, much of it culled from talk show interviews and some of Brandu0026#39;s stand-up comedy performances. The documentary was actually being produced during the time Brand was creating his Messiah Complex special, and footage from this performance is weaved throughout the film as Brand discusses many of the figures which would inspire the finished product, and ultimately help to inform the belief system he has developed.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBrand: A Second Coming also spends a hefty amount of time on Brandu0026#39;s desire to enact social and political change, and his belief that a revolution is not only a necessity, but an inevitability. His beliefs may be a bit too radical for some, but itu0026#39;s nearly impossible not to admire him for his conviction and dedication to those beliefs – even if he sometimes has trouble balancing his activism with his desire to remain in the public consciousness.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWith Brand: A Second Coming, Timoner has constructed an interesting and enlightening portrait of one of pop cultureu0026#39;s most fascinating figures. Itu0026#39;s doubtful that anyone viewing the documentary will have their opinion of Brand swayed in one direction or another, but it does shed some light on the influences and experiences that have shaped him into the person we see today.”