For six decades, sculptor James Grashow has transformed ordinary materials into extraordinary art. At 79, this prolific creator — whose work spans massive cardboard installations, illustrations for the New York Times and even a Jethro Tull album cover — embarks on his magnum opus. Commissioned by a long-time patron, Jimmy dedicates four years to creating "The Cathedral": a five-foot wooden sculpture depicting Christ bearing the weight of a Renaissance-era cathedral on his back while demons claw him from below.

Director Cindy Meehl's (The Dog Doc, TF ‘19) intimate documentary follows the artist's multi-year struggle as he meticulously carves both horrifying demons and glorious angels. As Jimmy confronts his mortality throughout the project, the sculpture becomes a competition between light and darkness, a devotional tribute to life's joys and impermanence. Through patient observation, Meehl captures the physical demands of Jimmy's craft alongside his humor, philosophical depth and enduring love for his wife, Guzzy. What emerges is not merely a portrait of an acclaimed artist whose work has graced The Met and MoMA, but a celebration of creativity's power to confront life, as Jimmy does, "one demon at a time."—Alexander Yan

Cindy Meehl