User Reviews

Kristian Day's ambitious documentary film, HYBRID PIONEER, transcends its' initial goal of documenting one man's commitment to his artistic career (mixed media works and music) by exemplifying the power of the DIY (do-it-yourself) lifestyle/artstyle to build culture and community. Both the film maker and the subject of the film are impacting their Central Iowa community through art, art happenings, music, and film. Every character revealed during the film is committed to the same, driven by passion for subculture and artistic expression. There is a simple honesty that exists at the heart of this documentary that connects the viewer to the subject and to those who surround him. The DIY lifestyle is never glorified as THE choice, but as an essential choice for someone driven to create. For anyone looking for inspiration to make art happen, anywhere, by any means necessary, watching this film will leave you itchin' to return to your punk rock roots and to make it happen NOW. Celebrating the street team, slappin' stickers on the sides of everything, booking art shows alongside rock shows, taking art to the streets, and making it accessible is what the filmmaker and his subject are achieving. With some cool fast motion techniques and an inspired soundtrack this film has great pace and visual landscape. Artist Brent Houzenga, the film's subject, exists as testament to the idea that you must build your own scene. "The days of waiting to get discovered are over," he says, you need to "DIY or die." He's right on and so is Kristian Day's film HYBRID PIONEER.

The well-attended premier screening of "Brent Houzenga: Hybrid Pioneer" at the Des Moines Social Club earlier this month was an outstanding culmination of local artistic talent, marketing directive, and sheer ambition from the heart of Iowa. A success and a beginning.

As I have come to know Brent in a personal and professional capacity, this film certainly paints (and etches, scratches, frames, stencils) a poignant portrayal of an artist in process and "in progress"; someone living as an artist of many talents as well as a man about town with gumption toward greater self-expression. Each character interviewed as part of the documentary contributed to the multi-nodal Art-Music-Creative collective burgeoning in the heart of Central Iowa.

This film is highly-accessible and I look forward to further work from Des Moines-local producer/director Kristian Day :)

Part Artist, musician, friend, promoter, entrepreneur, comedian and comic book super hero. Brent Houzenga is that and sooo much more. "Hybrid Pioneer" is more than a documentary about an artist, it is about all of us as artists and people. Watching Brent you get to take a look at not only his life, but your own. This film allows us to see just how much one person can really do. Most of us take one or two "leaps of faith" in life, Brent does it over and over taking his friends and the art community right along with him.

Brent's art is amazing. You get to not only see his art but get the story behind it. "Hybrid Pioneer" is a film about a real person doing real art. Definitely two thumbs waaay up and 10 stars...and a "Where can I get a copy so I can show this to everyone?"

This film is very well done. A must see for artists and anyone else who needs a swift kick in the rear to get them off their behind and doing more...not just with art but with life.

Brent is a friend of mine, & I do make a couple of profanity-laced appearances in this fine documentary, so I'll be as brief & unbiased as possible. Kristian (& everybody else involved) created an accurate, funny, energetic & raw portrait of the multifaceted, kind, funny & generous person slash local character that is Brent Houzenga. Those who know Brent know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you don't know Brent, this documentary makes for a fine crash course in not only the WHAT he does, but the WHO he is. It's a film about Brent, of course, but it's also about the Des Moines art scene, & what an important role Brent played in both its infancy & its evolution. Setting aside his impressive mountain of visual & musical output, after watching Hybrid Pioneer I was left with the burning after image of the impact Des Moines has made on Brent, and the impact that Brent has made on Des Moines! Two paint-covered thumbs WAY up!

I had the chance to see Hybrid Pioneer at it's primary screening. A very well put together documentary and exceptionally well paced. Not once did one feel disinterested or bored. This film highlights Brent Houzenga's contributions to the art moments in the Midwest, most notably around the Des Moines area. It highlights creative process, as well as where he draws his inspiration from. It tells of his personal growth and how he has adapted to make his art his own. The way the film presents itself really gets the viewer excited and wanting to involve themselves in their Local art scene. A must watch for anyone living in Iowa, or anyone interested in creative endeavors.