Documentary made about doodle artist

Sam Cox in Hong Kong
Sam Cox, nicknamed Mr Doodle, during a live art performance in Hong Kong [Getty Images]

A Kent artist at the heart of a new documentary says the film is “my favourite thing I’ve ever been involved in”.

Sam Cox, known as Mr Doodle, rose to fame after he covered every inch of his Tenterden home with doodle art.

His popularity soared internationally after his videos on social media racked up millions of views.

The documentary, titled The Trouble with Mr Doodle, explores his obsession with doodling and his personal struggles.

“I don’t really share much personal stuff on social media, as I usually keep it to just doodles and everything is happy,” he said. “But the process of making the film was really therapeutic to me.

Sam Cox and his wife Alena at their home in Tenterden, Kent
Sam Cox and his wife Alena at their home in Tenterden, Kent [PA Media]

“Through my life it hasn’t always been pure joy. And a lot of that has gone into the film.

“But now I’m able to navigate my way through life with a better understanding of who I am.”

In 2020, Mr Doodle was the world's fifth most successful artist aged under 40 at auction.

Artist Sam Cox in Hong Kong
Artist Sam Cox with his artwork The Doodles Leave Earth in Hong Kong [Getty Images]

Jaimie D’Cruz, the director of the documentary, said he had first planned to make a documentary about Mr Cox’s home.

“But the first time I met Sam and went into that house, I found it completely overwhelming, and I thought we needed to make the film represent that experience,” he said.

“The film tries to create the experience of what it is like to be Sam and be consumed by this need to constantly doodle, but also for us to understand what that might be like.”

Mr D’Cruz previously directed Academy Award-nominated documentaries Exit Through The Gift Shop and Black Sheep.

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