Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry, a riveting portrait of the charismatic and outspoken Chinese artist, is a great example of a filmmaker being in the right place at the right time. Alison Klayman began documenting Ai Weiwei in 2008. She made a short video to accompany a gallery show of his photographs. It was a career-changing period for the conceptual artist. He was fast becoming an international celebrity as a result of his work on the Beijing Olympic Stadium and subsequent protests of the Games as party propaganda. Years later, despite several run-ins with the law and a three-month detainment, WeiWei continues to create art and use social media to challenge China’s repressive regime. Klayman, who was given an all-access pass to the controversial artist, has produced a timely and engaging documentary that’s deserving of a sequel.

Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry is a IFC Films release.

(Originally appeared on Flavorpill.com in July 2012.)