Following in the footsteps of director Alison Klayman's award-winning documentary, Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry, comes Danish filmmaker Andreas Johnsen's recently released work Ai Wei Wei: The Fake Case, which seems to be the beginning of a series of documentaries about the often controversial Chinese artist.

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As the most easily recognized Chinese artist in the world, Ai Wei Wei has often used his artwork as a political platform for criticism of China's government.

Johnsen's documentary picks up where Never Sorry left off by connecting with Ai Wei Wei directly after his release from his 81-day detention in 2011.

Never Sorry ended just as Ai Wei Wei was released on a US$1.5 million bail for tax evasion and The Fake Case seamlessly begins at the point where the artist attempts to pick up the pieces of his life after nearly three months of detainment.

The Fake Case is meant to hone in on Ai Wei Wei's life post-jail as he struggles to assimilate into a life under constant surveillance while he is under house arrest.

Reportedly, Ai returned home to discover 18 cameras placed around his studio and house and was subject to constant investigations and questioning by police and officials.  

However, Johnsen's film doesn't focus solely on the serious aspects of Ai Wei Wei's life, but chooses to exhibit a light-hearted side to the artist by featuring scenes such as the famous figure dozing in his garden or playing with his son.

As an open critic of the Chinese government, Ai Wei Wei has faced frequent backlash in recent years - most recently by seeing his name and works removed from an exhibition of "15 Years Chinese Contemporary Art Award" held in Shanghai last month.

Since his detention in 2011, Ai Wei Wei has also been denied a passport and been constantly observed by the government.

TagsChina Culture, Chinese Artists, Ai Wei