One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story

Salvation and art have always been connected, but rarely with the power that the Reverend Albert Wagner brings. Working from his home on Lakefront Ave. in East Cleveland, Wagner is a recognized force in “outsider art” and a potent preacher of God's Word. Never educated as an artist, Wagner, at a low point in his life, heard the voice of God and began painting for his own redemption. His provocative and striking paintings, which feature prominently and powerfully throughout the film, deal directly with the past and present struggles of the African American community. Segregation and slavery get as much attention as alcohol and sex, the latter having been Wagner's dual demons. In addition to his art, Wagner leads The People Love People House of God, his unique brand of Christianity, which echoes the passionate message of his paintings. Filmed while Wagner was ailing and in his eighties, this documentary allows him to narrate his own distinctive life and includes commentary from his family, art collectors, and art historians. Set in Cleveland, ONE BAD CAT, brings a passionate man and his remarkable art to the screen. – JBH