The documentary “What The Punk” tells the story of the iconic CryptoPunks project, started by Matt Hall and John Watkinson in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The film follows the humble Canadian programmers from their early days experimenting with tech and art to the present day, where CryptoPunks are displayed in prestigious locations such as Centre Pompidou in Paris. The documentary highlights the impact of CryptoPunks on the art world, as well as the emergence of the NFT movement and the profile picture (PFP) trend that followed.
The launch of CryptoPunks in 2017 marked the beginning of a new era in art and technology, with 10,000 algorithmically generated pixel images created by Hall and Watkinson. The film explores the rise of NFTs and the growing interest in blockchain technology, as well as the impact of CryptoPunks on the art world. The documentary features interviews with prominent figures in the crypto art community, such as former Christie’s digital art lead Noah Davis and collector Dan Polko, shedding light on the evolution of digital art and the role of CryptoPunks in shaping the industry.
Director Hervé Martin-Delpierre and producer Marc Lustigman spent three years uncovering the secrets behind CryptoPunks and interviewing key players in the crypto art world. The filmmakers aimed to capture the essence of the CryptoPunks project and its impact on the art world, while also exploring dissenting voices that questioned the hype surrounding NFTs. The documentary delves into the complexities of blockchain technology and the challenges of explaining these concepts to a wider audience.
Despite the meteoric rise of CryptoPunks and NFTs, the documentary also covers the cooling trading momentum and challenges faced by the project in recent years. The filmmakers sought to provide a balanced perspective on the evolution of CryptoPunks, honoring the community of fans while also expanding the reach of the project to a wider audience. The film reflects on the highs and lows of CryptoPunks, offering a nuanced view of the project’s impact on the art world.
“What the Punk” was released internationally on June 11 on VIMEO OTT for a limited 3-month period and on ARTE in France and Germany. The European Premiere took place during Art Basel 2024, showcasing the film as part of the Digital Art Mile event. The documentary serves as a snapshot of our time, capturing the creative journey of artists navigating the evolving landscape of art and technology. By exploring the origins of CryptoPunks and the impact of NFTs, the film provides a comprehensive look at the transformative power of blockchain technology in the art world.
