Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

FILM INFO

  • Original title: Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures
  • Directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
  • Length: 108 min
  • Country: USA, Germany
  • Year: 2016

SCREENINGS

MAPPLETHORPE: LOOK AT THE PICTURES is the first acclaimed feature-length documentary about the controversial American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe since his death in 1989. The well-known catalyst and luminary, who attracted scandals like a magnet, had one and only goal: to achieve success and fame as an artist. He couldn't have asked for a better time. It was a time when Manhattan was devoid of Warhol's Factory and Studio 54 and was dominated by unbridled hedonism and sexual freedom. His first solo exhibition in 1976 also brought the artist's favorite subjects to the audience: flowers, portraits and stock photos. Mapplethorpe quickly became infamous for his homoerotic and sadomasochistic images, as well as stock photos of black men.

Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato were given free rein to explore Mapplethorpe's archive, where they discovered interviews completed before the artist's death. This is how an intimate and at the same time critical documentary film was completed, in which the outstanding star of the 20th century photography openly talks about himself, complemented by the memories of his friends, loved ones, family members, celebrities and models.

"I'm looking for the unexpected. I'm looking for what I've never seen before." /Robert Mapplethorpe/

Photographer Toomas Volkmann will make an introduction to the film screening.