This week sees two amazing street art documentaries hit Rialto Channel screens in the form of FINDING VIVIAN MAIER and BANKSY DOES NEW YORK. The former recounts the story of the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown cache of 150,000 or so photographs earned her a posthumous reputation as one the most accomplished street photographers thus far. It is both inspiring and frustrating, as her fame came mostly after her death. John Maloof, curator of some of Maier's photographs and co-director of the film, summarised the way the children she nannied would later describe her: "She was a Socialist, a Feminist, a movie critic, and a tell-it-like-it-is type of person. She learned English by going to theatres, which she loved. ... and was constantly taking pictures, which she didn't show anyone."
BANKSY DOES NEW YORK focuses on the quasi-anonymous British street artist Banksy’s 2014 trip to New York, where he did some of his guerrilla art on the streets of the iconic city. As part of this adventure he set up a public artwork or a street piece every day for a month all over the city. This documentary tells the story of these installations and their reception, and how a bunch of art-followers made it into a sort of scavenger hunt.
In light of both of these I thought I’d share some of my favourite films about artists – both documentary and biographical – and why they should be on your future viewing list:
This week sees two amazing street art documentaries hit Rialto Channel screens in the form of FINDING VIVIAN MAIER and BANKSY DOES NEW YORK. The former recounts the story of the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown cache of 150,000 or so photographs earned her a posthumous reputation as one the most accomplished street photographers thus far. It is both inspiring and frustrating, as her fame came mostly after her death. John Maloof, curator of some of Maier's photographs and co-director of the film, summarised the way the children she nannied would later describe her: "She was a Socialist, a Feminist, a movie critic, and a tell-it-like-it-is type of person. She learned English by going to theatres, which she loved. ... and was constantly taking pictures, which she didn't show anyone."
BANKSY DOES NEW YORK focuses on the quasi-anonymous British street artist Banksy’s 2014 trip to New York, where he did some of his guerrilla art on the streets of the iconic city. As part of this adventure he set up a public artwork or a street piece every day for a month all over the city. This documentary tells the story of these installations and their reception, and how a bunch of art-followers made it into a sort of scavenger hunt.
In light of both of these I thought I’d share some of my favourite films about artists – both documentary and biographical – and why they should be on your future viewing list:
Basquiat (1996)
Directed by another stellar artist, Julian Schnabel, Basquiat chronicles the life of New York-based painter and musician Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film traces the latter’s evolution from graffiti artist to world-renowned painter before his untimely death of a drug overdose in 1988. Jeffrey Wright is brilliant as the title character, while David Bowie quite adeptly plays Andy Warhol. The all-star cast also includes Benicio Del Toro, Gary Oldman, Michael Wincott, Claire Forlani, Dennis Hopper, Tatum O’Neal, Courtney Love, Christopher Walken, Willem Dafoe, Parker Posey, and Sam Rockwell. Phew! The documentary “Basquiat, The Radiant Child” from 2010 is also a winner, and it is both sad and amazing to watch footage of a baby-faced Jean-Michel being casually interviewed by his friend Tamra Davis at the beginning of his life as a brilliant young artist, and man.
Pollock (2000)
Ed Harris directs and stars in this biopic about famed abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock. The film depicts Pollock’s lifelong struggle with alcoholism, his turbulent marriage to fellow painter Lee Krasner, and his tragic death in a car accident in 1956.The film received loads of positive reviews from the critics and earned Marcia Gay Harden an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Krasner. Harris was nominated for a Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Crumb (1994)
This documentary is the work of director Terry Zwigoff, who spent six years following around his friend, underground comic-book artist Robert Crumb, crafting the footage into a multifaceted feature detailing the artist's troubled past and how it influences his often troubling work. The film ushered in a second-wave of fans unfamiliar with Crumb's drawings, which have now transitioned from alternative weeklies and musty comic-book shops to galleries and museums.
Guest of Cindy Sherman (2008)
This documentary captures the unlikely love affair between art world bon vivant Paul Hasegawa-Overacker and legendary conceptual photographer Cindy Sherman. The film's title references the name Hasegawa-Overacker found on his place card at a fancy dinner the two attended just as their four-year relationship was rapidly unravelling. That Sherman isn't formally interviewed speaks volumes, really. One person who was not a huge fan of the film was Cindy Sherman. Culled from intimate moments between the two plus more than 70 interviews, the making of the film - in which Hasegawa-Overacker must come to terms with being the less successful half of the couple -led to the breakup of their relationship.
Ai Weiwei Never Sorry (2012)
An unforgettable watch and festival favourite wherever it aired. The most unforgettable moment of the look at the life and work of dissident Chinese artist Weiwei has to be when the officials from the Chinese government stalk Ai as he eats dinner in a public restaurant. The film is brilliant in its portrayal of an inspiring individual in the face of repression, and through this, the power of art to really matter.
The Legend of Leigh Bowery (2002)
The flamboyant Leigh Bowery is the type of artist whose work really must be seen to be believed. He was his work, and his life an ongoing exhibition. As one of the most influential figures in both the London and New York art and fashion scenes in the 1980s and ’90s, the creative provocateur has been cited as an influence on everyone from David LaChapelle to Lady Gaga. This in-depth documentary explores Bowery's art and influence, as told by everyone from Boy George to Damien Hirst.
Cutie and the Boxer (2013)
Another festival hit, this is a documentary about artist Ushio Shinohara, whose style of painting requires him to wear a pair of boxing gloves. It’s about another artist couple, and he is undoubtedly the more commercially successful member of the pair, who have been married for 40 years. His wife, Noriko emerges as the star in this touching portrait of art, love, family and sacrifice, which earned director Zachary Heinzerling a well-deserved Oscar nomination.