Every canvas has its palette!

“The Altruist” is the first docu-drama made by Media At Large. In a post-modern fashion, writer/director Roger Sewhcomar brings humor and nostalgia to quirky artist Laurie Munn’s biography. Laurie’s interesting life is examined, juxtaposed with major and minor historic events, and chronicled by an iconic narrator and pompous shrink, adding a rich vein of humor and ironic commentary. Vivid reconstructions of Super 8 and stock footage add color and depth to Munn’s fascinating tale.

Laurie Munn (as herself), a local New York artist, suddenly found herself connecting the human experience through canvas portraits. In the 80s, Laurie stumbled upon a high school yearbook on the streets of Chelsea in NYC. This symbol of childhood left Laurie feeling empty and disconnected from her own experience. As a result, she began to paint portraits of each member of the graduating class of her found yearbook. The project culminated in 2005 when Laurie attended the forty-year class reunion as an honorary member. By that time, Laurie had contacted all living members of the class and painted their portraits. Her show was displayed in Barney’s windows and brought national attention to the ever-evolving story. In the film, her fictional shrink (Stewart Schneck) hints at “red herrings” – significant historic events Laurie may or may have not been responsible for - and satirizes the life decisions Laurie makes. Through this, Laurie analyzes her youth in Geneva, Switzerland, her rendezvous with the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Paul Sartre, and her desire to define the human experience. Ultimately, Laurie realizes that the events of her life have led her to become the independent, carefree woman she is. Without them she would not be the artist she is today.