An action-figure maker’s outsized tribute to his late brother

After a restless search, David McGurk found his creative outlet in an unexpected medium: handcrafted action figures. Made at a prolific pace, these small, meticulous objects form a growing constellation of tributes – to cultural icons, beloved characters and the personal influences that shaped him. In this short portrait, the Scottish filmmaker Blair Stewart follows McGurk as he creates, for the first time, a figure of the most influential person in his life: his late brother, Stephen. A singular presence with boundless creativity, Stephen was the one who first taught McGurk to make figurines, using ingenious, homemade methods they devised together as children. Interweaving footage of his careful process with McGurk’s recollections, the film gradually opens into a reflection on memory and loss. The 1980s-inspired figures evolve beyond nostalgic artefacts, becoming a means for McGurk to stay connected to his brother, and allowing their shared creative bond to endure.

Hot this week

Florida Man Finds a Mermaid in Horror Comedy Film ‘Mermaid’ Trailer

Florida Man Finds a Mermaid in Horror Comedy Film...

Roberts Projects Takes On Esmaa Mohamoud and More: Industry Moves

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in On Balance, the ARTnews newsletter about...

Polarise Nordic Film Nights returns for its fifth edition

02/03/2026 - From Iceland's 1975 feminist strike to Sámi...

BTS Drop Comeback Live Trailer

As BTS prepares for a massive comeback album and...

Gregory Olympio at blank projects

January 29 – March 14, 2026

Topics

Florida Man Finds a Mermaid in Horror Comedy Film ‘Mermaid’ Trailer

Florida Man Finds a Mermaid in Horror Comedy Film...

Roberts Projects Takes On Esmaa Mohamoud and More: Industry Moves

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in On Balance, the ARTnews newsletter about...

Polarise Nordic Film Nights returns for its fifth edition

02/03/2026 - From Iceland's 1975 feminist strike to Sámi...

BTS Drop Comeback Live Trailer

As BTS prepares for a massive comeback album and...

Gregory Olympio at blank projects

January 29 – March 14, 2026

REI Co-op Names Kim Waldmann as Chief Commercial Officer

REI Co-op has named former Foot Locker executive Kim...

Which ‘Sinners’ Star Can Win the Oscar?

The following article is an excerpt from the new...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img