A few fresh film biographies from the previous three years. The list also includes a ten-part series, a great rarity on this topic in the quality series industry.
“Work Without Authorship” (Werk ohne Autor) / 2018, Germany
The names of the main characters are fictional, but as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that the film’s story is based on the biography of the now living German painter Gerhard Richter. The 88-year-old painter did not appreciate the film, yet the fascinating story, which tells of life, love and creativity against the backdrop of Nazism, escape from East Germany, encounter with the realities of Western modern art and worldwide recognition, coupled with good camerawork and a touching soundtrack, makes the film a beautiful and meaning-filled stor”Gauguin. In Search of Paradise,” in some translations “Savage” (Gauguin – Voyage de Tahiti) / 2017, France
A pictorial film biography about the famous French painter, played by Vincent Cassel. The plot describes the period when Gauguin leaves the bohemian life of Paris for Tahiti, where he meets a local girl – a beautiful islander Techura, who would later become the heroine of many now famous paintings of the artist.
“Genius: Picasso” / 2018, USA
The second season of the acclaimed National Geographic project “Geniuses” colorfully narrates the biography of Pablo Picasso, played by Antonio Banderas. For ten episodes, the viewer observes all the main events of the rich life of the legendary Spaniard – from enrollment in art school and youth to death. Along with the biography of the artist, the viewer contemplates the historical events of the twentieth century, as well as the great contemporaries of Picasso – Ernest Hemingway, Jean Cocteau, Marc Chagall.
“The Final Portrait / 2017, UK, USA
In 1964, two years before his death, the famous sculptor Alberto Giacometti (Geoffrey Rush) begins working on a portrait of his friend, the young and popular American critic James Lord (Armie Hammer). The film may seem to have almost no plot, but the fresh atmosphere of Paris and the brilliant dialogues about life, art and painting make you want to watch the Oscar-nominated film to the end.