Subgenre Sampler

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Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis (2023): Dir. Anton Corbijn; The story of Aubrey “Po” Powell and Storm Thorgerson, a couple of unlikely London lads who stumbled into forming the coolest art design group of…
Hemingway (2021): Dir. Ken Burns, Lynn Novick; Expansive 3–part documentary on the life of American writer Ernest Hemingway, exploring both his life and his extraordinary writing, which had…
My Name is Gulpilil (2021): Dir. Molly Reynolds
Feat. David Gulpilil; A documentary memoir of the late great actor and dancer David Gulpilil, an Aboriginal Australian of the Yolngu people who starred in movies such as…
Raphael: The Young Prodigy (2021): Dir. Massimo Ferrari; A documentary about the Italian painter Raphael, and his extraordinary contribution to the short–lived High Renaissance movement of the late…
Velvet Queen, The (2021): Dir. Marie Amiguet; An incredible nature documentary from France as much about the human animal as the animal kingdom. It follows renowned wildlife photographer Vincent…
Botticelli, Florence and the Medici (2020): Dir. Marco Pianigiani; A documentary exploring Renaissance Florence and its astonishing art and culture, centering around the life of revolutionary artist Sandro Botticelli…
Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful (2020): Dir. Gero von Boehm; Wildly successful photographer Helmut Newton made a name for himself exploring the female form over many decades, and his cult status continues long…
Painter and the Thief, The (2020): Dir. Benjamin Ree; A astonishing art documentary about the Czech painter Barbora Kysilkova, who tracked down and met the criminal who stole her paintings. What…
Aznavour By Charles (Le regard de Charles) (2019): Dir. Charles Aznavour, Marc di Domenico; Documentary exploring the extensive film diaries of French–Armenian singer, songwriter and actor Charles Aznavour, which he shot from the late…
Frida: Viva La Vida (2019): Dir. Giovanni Troilo
Feat. Asia Argento; Asia Argento narrates this documentary about the enigmatic, iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, exploring her letters and diaries to present both the…
Hermitage: The Power of Art (Ermitage. Il potere dell'arte) (2019): Dir. Michele Mally; A documentary about the Hermitage in St Petersburg, a vast museum boasting the largest collection of paintings in the world. Explores the daily life…
Jean Paul Gaultier: Freak and Chic (2019): Dir. Yann L’Henoret; An all access look behind the scenes into the glamorous world of visionary French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, as he prepares an outrageous…
Leunig Fragments, The (2019): Dir. Kasimir Burgess; A documentary portrait of Michael Leunig, the cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet who counts as one of Australia's National Living…
Martha: A Picture Story (2019): Dir. Selina Miles; Suburb documentary about photographer Martha Cooper, who saw the value and beauty in New York graffiti in the 1970's, and became an icon of the…
Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2019): Dir. Laura Gabbert; Documenting the collaboration between world renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this documentary follows…
Prado Museum, The: A Collection of Wonders (2019): Dir. Valeria Parisi; Documentary telling the story of Spain's magnificent Prado Museum, celebrating its 200th birthday. Explores an incredible collection of over 8000 art…
Stuffed (2019): Dir. Erin Derham; A documentary about the fascinating and mysterious world of taxidermy, featuring passionate artists and experts and providing a fully rounded…
Tintoretto: A Rebel in Venice (2019): Dir. Giuseppe Domingo Romano; With the enchanting narrative voice of Helena Bonham Carter, a new exciting cinema production celebrates the 500th anniversary of the birth of the…
Varda By Agnes (2019): Dir. Agnes Varda
Feat. Agnes Varda; Belgian–born film–maker/photographer/artist Agnès Varda takes a seat on a theatre stage to present photos and film excerpts that provide…
Eyes of Orson Welles, The (2018): Dir. Mark Cousins; Mark Cousins (THE STORY OF FILM – AN ODYSSEY) examines the visual world of Orson Welles through his non–cinematic work, uncovering new…
Klimt and Schiele: Eros and Psyche (2018): Dir. Michele Mally; A documentary exploring the art world of turn–of–the–century Vienna, where Gustav Klimt and his rebellious protégé Egon Schiele…
Kusama - Infinity (2018): Dir. Heather Lenz; The incredible story of top–selling artist Yayoi Kusama, who overcame countless odds (wartime trauma, mental illness, sexism, racism) to bring…
McQueen (2018): Dir. Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui; Documentary about the extraordinary life and work of British designer Alexander McQueen, whose fashion shows, described as "savagely beautiful",…
Price of Everything, The (2018): Dir. Nathaniel Kahn; Exploring the labyrinth of the contemporary art world, this documentary examines the role of art and artistic passion in todays money–driven,…
Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Played with Fire (2018): Dir. Henrik Georgsson; Comprehensive documentary about Swedish author Stieg Larsson, who died at the age of 50, and posthumously became one of the world's most famous…
Water Lilies of Monet: The Magic of Water and Light (2018): A journey through the masterpieces and obsessions of the "Genius of Impressionism", with Ross King, author of Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the…
Faces Places (2017): Dir. Agnes Varda, JR
Feat. Agnes Varda, JR; Charming French documentary created by and starring beloved new wave director Agnes Varda, who recruits a charismatic young photographer/muralist…
Have You Seen the Listers? (2017): Dir. Eddie Martin; Masterful documentary on the life of world–renowned Brisbane artist Anthony Lister, exploring his origins as a street artist and his…
I Am Heath Ledger (2017): Dir. Adrian Buitenhuis, Derik Murray; A loving documentary about the life of renowned actor Heath Ledger. Deliberately eschewing his death at age 28 from a prescription drug overdose, the…
Kobi (2017): Dir. Andrea Bosshard, Shane Loader; A loving portrait of Swiss goldsmith Kobi Bosshard, widely regarded as the grandfather of contemporary NZ jewellery, made by his daughter, filmmaker…
Leaning into the Wind (2017): Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer; Equally worthy follow–up to the director's previous film about Andy Goldsworthy, RIVERS AND TIDES, again providing a meditative and vibrant…
Maria by Callas (2017): Dir. Tom Volf; Definitive portrait of the Greek–American opera singer Maria Callas, using her own writings, letters and reminiscences to tell the story of her…
McKellen: Playing the Part (Ian McKellen: Playing the Part) (2017): Dir. Joe A. Stephenson; Celebration of the extraordinary life and work of Sir Ian McKellen, based around excerpts from a 14 hour interview, but also including…
Rumble: The American Indians Who Rocked The World (2017): Dir. Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana; A fascinating and rousing documentary profiling the impact of American Indian musicians on the development of rock music. Musicians featured include…
Banksy Job, The (2016): Dir. Ian Roderick Gray, Dylan Harvey; Like an inferior fan–made follow up to EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, this art–heist documentary follows the self–described art…
Cameraperson (2016): Dir. Kirsten Johnson; Extraordinary autobiographical documentary by acclaimed cinematographer Kirsten Johnson, who has collected film clips spanning the past 10 years of…
David Lynch: The Art Life (2016): Dir. Jon Nguyen; An essential portrait of film–making iconoclast David Lynch, who takes us on an intimate journey from his childhood in idyllic small town…
Guv'nor, The (2016): Dir. Paul Van Carter; Fascinating documentary about notorious East End boxer, bouncer and latter–day actor Lenny McLean, told from the perspective of his only son,…
heART of the matter, The (2016): Dir. Luit Bieringa; A valuable historical documentary tracing the remarkable shifts in educational philosophy in New Zealand during the post WWII years, in which…
Kate Plays Christine (2016): Dir. Robert Greene
Feat. Kate Lyn Sheil; A fascinating documentary following an actress who is preparing to play the role of newscaster Christine Chubbuck, who famously committed suicide on…
Marina Abramovic in Brazil: The Space in Between (2016): Dir. Marco Del Fiol; Intriguing documentary following the provocative and adventurous Serbian performance artist Marina Abramovic (THE ARTIST IS PRESENT) as she travels…
Project Greenlight (TV Series) - Season 4 (2016): Dir. Jason Mann
Feat. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon; The fourth season of the excellent HBO series in which the winners of a film–making competition are followed through the production process of…
Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach (2016): Dir. Louise Osmond; A revealing tribute to the life and career of one of Britain's most eminent film–makers and socially–conscious artists, whose prolific…
Whiteley (2016): Dir. James Bogle; A vivid and stimulating chronicle of the life and art of troubled Australian painter Brett Whiteley, who died in 1992 at the age of 53, and helped to…
Best of Enemies (2015): Dir. Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville; Riveting account of the frequently explosive televised debates between the liberal Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley that transfixed…
Francofonia (2015): Dir. Alexandr Sokurov
Feat. Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Benjamin Utzerath; A richly evocative and insightful historical cine–essay from celebrated dir. Alexander Sokurov (RUSSIAN ARK) that charts the relationship…
Heart of a Dog (2015): Dir. Laurie Anderson
Feat. Laurie Anderson; Prolific performance artist Laurie Anderson directs this brave but gentle autobiographical cinematic essay, centered around themes of death and love,…
Miss Sharon Jones! (2015): Dir. Barbara Kopple; Energetic as well as intimate, this portrait of the mighty soul singer by acclaimed documentarian Barbara Kopple bravely chronicles the effect that…
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015): Dir. Lisa Immordino Vreeland; Luminous portrait of the arts patron extraordinaire who transformed a modest fortune and adventurous taste into one of the premier collections of…
Reset (Relève: Histoire d'une création) (2015): Dir. Thierry Demaizière, Alban Teurlai; Delightful depiction of renowned choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied (best known for choreographing the dance sequences in Black Swan) in his…
Seymour: An Introduction (2015): Dir. Ethan Hawke; Award–winning documentary on the life and career of classical pianist Seymour Bernstein, who abandoned fame as a performer in favour of a…
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015): Dir. Liz Garbus; Essential biographical documentary about the extraordinary Nina Simone, filled with previously unseen archival footage of the singer, and produced by…
Winter at Westbeth (2015): Dir. Rohan Spong; A vibrant showcase of three elderly artists who reside in the historic and unique Westbeth Artists Housing in New York City's west village. Filmed…
Art + Soul (2014): An in depth journey through the heritage, politics and imagination in contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Presented by Hetti…
Banksy Does New York (2014): Dir. Chris Moukarbel; Documentary chronicling the famed street artist's "31 works of art in 31 days" in New York city.
Future Shock! The Story of 2000AD (2014): The story of mighty British sci–fi comic 2000AD is passionately told by the creators and artists Pat Mills, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, John…
Great Museum, The (2014): Dir. Johannes Holzhausen; Fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most famous cultural institutions in the world, The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
National Gallery (2014): Dir. Frederick Wiseman; Director Frederick Wiseman applies his rigorously patient and observational style to explore one of the great museums of the world: The National…
Salt of the Earth, The (2014): Dir. Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado; A visually stunning and deeply affecting portrait of Sebastião Salgado, an acclaimed humanitarian photographer, who for over forty years has…
Today's Russia: A Literary Landscape (2014): Feat. Stephen Fry; Stephen Fry presents this overdue reappraisal of Russian literature for a Western audience. Imbued with Fry's characteristic personal touches and…
Cutie and the Boxer (2013): Dir. Zachary Heinzerling; An insightful and perceptive doco on the relationship between an elderly Japanese couple who also happen to be alternative artists: Ushio Shinohara,…
Finding Vivian Maier (2013): Dir. John Maloof, Charlie Siskel; Doing for art world what SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN did for music, this arresting documentary discovers a nanny whose previously unknown cache of…
Grayson Perry: All in the Best Possible Taste (TV Series) (2013): Turner–Prize winning artist and renowned transvestite Grayson Perry visits the taste tribes of Britain, dissecting the class system into three…
Inside Out: The People's Art Project (2013): Dir. Alastair Siddons; Documentary portrait of French artist and TED prize–winner JR (Jean–Pierre Romel), who creates a global participatory art project that…
Lily Cole's Art Matters (2013): Feat. Lily Cole; Supermodel and Cambridge Arts graduate, Lily Cole, hosts a series of intimate, observational portraits with some of today's most renowned…
Tim's Vermeer (2013): Dir. Teller
Feat. Penn Jillette; Science and art coalesce in this extraordinary story of Texan tech pioneer and obsessive polymath Tim Jenison's attempt to perfectly reproduce a…
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012): Dir. Alison Klayman; As he prepares for a new series of exhibitions, China's most famous contemporary artist and dissident is profiled in this superb documentary.
Art of America (2012): Art critic Andrew Graham–Dixon guides us from the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts to the contemporary art scene in New York and LA in this…
Creative Minds (2012): Geoffrey Rush headlines this insightful series of interviews with Australia artists who speak openly about their influences, personal development,…
For No Good Reason (2012): Johnny Depp visits upon renowned graphic artist Ralph Steadman for this rightly mischevious portrait of the last of the original "Gonzo" visionaries…
Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012): Dir. Ben Shapiro; Engaging, illuminating documentary shot over a decade, that follows Crewdson as he roams a disintegrating suburban America and stages his…
Journal de France (2012): Dir. Raymond Depardon, Claudine Nougaret; A revealing travel journal as survey of legendary French photographer and filmmaker Raymond Depardon's lens work as he captures fading pockets of his…
Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present (2012): Dir. Matthew Akers, Jeff Dupre; Mesmerising arts documentary that follows the Serbian–born veteran performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The…
Persistence of Vision (2012): Dir. Kevin Schreck; The fascinating journey of master animator Richard Williams (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) and his 30–year quest to create his ultimately…
Best Of Palettes Collection, The (2011): Intriguing series using the latest in art investigation and video animation to explore the history, techniques and controversies behind some of the…
Daytime Tiger (2011): Dir. Costa Botes; In 1999, NZ writer Michael Morrissey was diagnosed with manic depression, or bi–polar disorder (Morrissey prefers the older term). He has…
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011): Dir. Lisa Immordino Vreeland; Whirlwind portrait of fashion trailblazer Diana Vreeland, a force of nature as former editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Known for her…
Disappear in Light (2011): A distilled portrait of Wellington playwright and performer Jo Randerson, whose work towards the staging of her play "Good Night, The End" provides…
Eames: The Architect and the Painter (2011): Dir. Jason Cohn, Bill Jersey; A vital documentary on design power couple Charles and Ray Eames, whose enduring bond as both married partners and collaborators gave us numerous…
Impressionists, The: Painting and Revolution (2011): A deep–focus investigation into the revolutionary achievements of the Impressionist movement by British art critic Waldemar Januszczak. Across…
Look, The (2011): Dir. Angelina Maccarone
Feat. Charlotte Rampling; In this fascinating series of conversations, Charlotte Rampling interviews a number of key collaborators during her career as a means of…
Magic Trip (2011): Dir. Alex Gibney, Alison Ellwood; Recovering 16mm footage shot during the maiden voyage of the psychedelic 'Magic Bus', this documentary reassembles a visual snapshot of the legendary…
Manet: The Man Who Invented Modern Art (2011): British art critic Waldemar Januszczak hosts this illuminating portrait of 'the father of Impressionism', claiming to offer the first…
This is Not a Film (2011): Dir. Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb; Persecuted Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi turns the camera on himself in this galvanizing protest film about the physical and creative imprisonment of…
Arbor, The (2010): Dir. Clio Barnard; A grimly compelling portrait of hard–living British playwright Andrea Dunbar, most celebrated for writing seminal kitchen sink comedy RITA,…
Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story (2010): Dir. Sarah Townsend
Feat. Eddie Izzard; Potrait of the comedian Eddie Izzard's rise to fame from early influences, losing his mother to cancer at a young age before being sent with his…
Bill Cunningham New York (2010): Dir. Richard Press; A surprise sleeper hit on the arthouse box–office circuit, this is a poignant and gently humorous portrait of street fashion photographer Bill…
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010): Dir. Banksy
Feat. Banksy , Thierry Guetta; A would–be filmmaker's documentary on renegade street artist Banksy is turned on its head, becoming an expose of the contemporary art world and…
Genius of Design, The (2010): A highly accessible overview of 20th century industrial design movements and revolutions, this surveys everything from the emergence of modernism in…
Gordon Crook: A Life in Art (2010): Dir. Clare O'Leary; Thoughtful, and enlightening portrait of ex–pat British artist Gordon Crook, who since 1972 has called Wellington – and Aro Valley…
Great Epochs of European Art, The (2010): A detailed, German–produced art history series illustrated by selected masterpieces of architecture, sculpture and painting. In addition to…
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010): Dir. Tamra Davis; A worthy and elegiac tribute to the neo–expressionist wunderkind, with dir. Davis deftly avoiding much of the usual bluster, instead focusing…
L'Amour Fou (2010): Dir. Pierre Thoretton; A moving document of the relationship between fashion designer Yves Saint–Laurent and his lover, Pierre Berge, remembered through their famed…
Michael Smither - The Next Ten Years (2010): Dir. Tony Hiles; Intimate two–part documentary following New Zealand artist and musician Michael Smither, as he prepares for his final dealer exhibition and…
Mother of Rock - Lillian Roxon (2010): Dir. Paul Clarke; Feisty Australian journalist Lillian Roxon is the subject of this rock time capsule, which frames the music revolution of the 60s and 70s against…
Paris: The Luminous Years (2010): Illuminating documentary takes an overarching look at the literature and art that flourished in Paris during the first three decades of the 20th…
Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and Other Stories (2010): Dir. Tim Rose, Jim Scott; A bluntly honest portrait of New Zealand's most recognisable poet, with conversation by Hunt – along with friends, relatives, and other talking…
Venice Revealed (2010): Author Peter Ackroyd adapts his definitive book on the history of Venice in this fascinating exploration of the art, architecture, music and theatre…
Waste Land (2010): Dir. Lucy Walker; Brazilian photographer Vik Muniz visits the world's largest rubbish dump, located outside Rio de Janeiro, to develop a unique artistic collaboration…
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010): Dir. Yony Leyser; Celebrities and acolytes gather for this heady hagiography of the legendary beat author and American icon, most famous for his controversial novel,…
Art and Copy (2009): Dir. Doug Pray; A clear–headed, inspiring tribute to the 'creatives' behind some of the world’s most iconic advertising campaigns, slogans, and brands.…
Art Of The Steal, The (2009): Dir. Don Argott; Gripping art documentary gets behind the plight of art collector Dr. Albert Barnes, whose posthumous wish to have his fortune of…
China Power - Art now after Mao (2009): Dir. Pia Getty; A fascinating glimpse into China's modern art market, reflecting the ironies and contradictions of making art in the country's oppressive political…
David Hockney - A Bigger Picture (2009): Dir. Bruno Wollheim; Sound BBC–produced portrait of David Hockney, following the modernist art icon back to England after 25 years in Hollywood.
Eating Art (TV Series) (2009): Delicious fusion of art history and gastronomic mysteries as celebrated restaurateur and art boffin Oliver Peyton takes the viewer on a tour of some…
Man In The Hat, The (2009): Dir. Luit Bieringa; Sam Neill narrates this intimate portrait of veteran art dealer Peter McLeavey, commemorating his 40 years in the business of running an independent…
Ne Change Rien (2009): Dir. Pedro Costa
Feat. Jeanne Balibar; A smokey, high contrast insight into the artistic process from avant–garde filmmaker Pedro Costa, intensely focused on the methods of French…
Objectified (2009): Dir. Gary Hustwit; Gary Hustwit’s follow–up to the superb typography documentary HELVETICA delves into the unseen world of industrial design, investigating and…
Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn (2009): Dir. Josh Whiteman; Behind the defining look of Joy Division, U2, Depeche Mode and Simple Minds (curiously absent here), Dutch rock photographer turned filmmaker Anton…
Tell Them Anything You Want - A Portrait of Maurice Sendak (2009): Dir. Spike Jonze, Lance Bangs; These frank and insightful conversations with Maurice Sendak (and dir. Spike Jonze) paint a surprising portrait of the WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE…
Visual Acoustics (2009): Dir. Eric Bricker; Fans of modernist architecture will savour this docu–tribute to the life and career of Southern California architectural photographer, Julius…
We Live in Public (2009): Dir. Ondi Timoner; Armed to the teeth with dot–com millions, mad prophet–cum–performance artist Josh Harris goes off the deep end in this startling…
Andy Warhol's Factory People (2008): Dir. Catherine Schorr O'Sullivan
Feat. Andy Warhol; Nicely self–contained document of Andy Warhol's Factory and its workers, which does a great job of tracking down many of the hipsters and…
Art of Spain (2008): Art critic Andrew Graham–Dixon continues his thorough exploration of national art with this focus on Spanish architecture and culture,…
Art Star and the Sudanese Twins, The (2008): Dir. Pietra Brettkelly; With a genuinely compelling subject to draw confession from, this oddly–topical documentary – on the increasingly common adoption of African…
Beaches of Agnes, The (2008): Dir. Agnes Varda; A wonderfully light–footed collection of memories and monologues in documentary essay form from the queen of the French New Wave, Agnes…
Beautiful Losers (2008): Dir. Aaron Rose; A doco for the slacker generation, this early–nineties overview tenuously gathers such hipster artists as Harmony Korine (film), Ed Templeton…
Between the Folds (2008): Dir. Vanessa Gould; Charming (and potentially inspiring) doco from America's PBS channel exploring the ancient but perennially fascinating subject of…
Chevolution (2008): Dir. Luis Lopez, Trisha Ziff; Cuban revolutionary history is examined through photographer Alberto Korda’s iconic portrait of Che Guevara – now a ubiquitous and exploited…
Concrete Canvas (TV Series) (2008): Ten part documentary series focused around renowned 3D pavement artist Julian Beever, who travels through ten different cities creating new…
Cool School - Story Of Ferus Art Gallery, The (2008): Dir. Morgan Neville; Los Angeles’ unheralded contemporary art scene is given the celebrity treatment in this uncharted history of the American pop art movement…
Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes (2008): Dir. Peter Rosen; Delightful documentary chronicling a life on the road for American entertainer Garrison Keillor, whose radio show A Prairie Home Companion is a…
Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008): Dir. Alex Gibney
Feat. Hunter S. Thompson; Excellent portrait of the late Hunter S. Thompson, the revolutionary writer who pioneered 'Gonzo', a freewheeling style of subjective journalism.…
Herb and Dorothy (2008): Dir. Megumi Sasaki; Devotional New York art patrons Herb and Dorothy Vogel are the subject of this delightful portrait, taking us inside the couple’s modest one…
Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner (2008): Dir. Murray Grigor; A documentary about the life and work of visionary architect John Lautner (1911 – 1994), who worked primarily in California on residential…
Louise Bourgeois - The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine (2008): Dir. Marion Cajori, Amei Wallach; At the ripe of age of 98, evergreen French artist and sculptor Louise Bourgeois continues to astound in this portrait of her captivating life's…
Man On Wire (2008): Dir. James Marsh
Feat. Phillipe Petit; Oscar–winning doco about a truly remarkable, one–of–a–kind subject; a cavalier French daredevil called Phillipe Petit who in…
Palin on Art (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Michael Palin; Art–aficionado Michael Palin explores the works and history of some of the lesser–known artists that he holds dear to his heart. The…
Patti Smith: Dream of Life (2008): Dir. Steven Sebring; Narrated by the rock icon herself, this intimate, lyrical observation of Patti Smith's art and philosophy plays rather like a sitting through one of…
Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies (2008): Dir. Arne Glimcher; Stately exploration of the influence of cinema's earliest pioneers, such as Georges Méliès, on Cubist painters Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.…
Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect (2008): Dir. Markus Heidingsfelder; Detailed portrait of Rem Koolhaas, the visionary Dutch architect and writer whose striking modernist creations include the Dutch Embassy in Berlin,…
Rubbings From A Live Man (2008): Dir. Florian Habicht; Film–maker Florian Habicht finds the perfect portrait subject in Warwick Broadhead, a fiercely independent, 40–year veteran of performing…
Third Richard, The (2008): Dir. Danny Mulheron, Sarah Stretton; A labour of love for actor–director Danny Mulheron, this explores the life and music of his unheralded grandfather, Richard Fuchs, a gifted…
Universe of Keith Haring, The (2008): Dir. Christina Clausen
Feat. Keith Haring; Celebratory portrait of the darling of the 80s New York art scene Haring revels in the accessibility of the artist as a public figure, more than…
With Gilbert and George (2008): Dir. Julian Cole; Poetic documentary about controversial art duo Gilbert and George, who work as a single entity and have mounted more exhibitions in museums and…
Alice Neel (2007): Dir. Andrew Neel; Documentary looking at the life and art of great American portrait painter Alice Neel, made by her grandson. Accomplished examination of the great…
Big Picture, The (TV Series) (2007): Commentator Hamish Keith brings New Zealand’s imposing arts history down to earth in this appealing, highly accessible reappraisal of everything…
Black, White and Gray (2007): Dir. James Crump; Stilted documentary investigating the relationship between controversial photographers Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe and their influence on…
Celebration: Yves Saint Laurent (2007): Dir. Olivier Meyrou; Intimate portrait of Yves Saint–Laurent, focussing on the legendary fashion designer's final show, as well as his complex relationship with…
Chris and Don - A Love Story (Chris & Don) (2007): Dir. Guido Santi, Tina Mascara; Love–letter–as–documentary recounting the poignant 33–year relationship between novelist Christopher Isherwood (author of…
Chuck Close (2007): Dir. Marion Cajori; The revered New York portraitist, famous for his giant photorealist heads (typically well over two metres in height), is the subject of this…
Flightless: Bill Hammond's Cure for Being Kiwi (2007): Dir. Alan D'Arcy Erson
Feat. Ian Hughes; An intriguing blend of drama and documentary are used to tell the story of an everyman who's life is falling apart at the seams when he is…
Garbage Warrior (2007): Dir. Oliver Hodge; Revealing documentary featuring eco architect Michael Reynolds who has spent the past three decades creating sustainable housing in the New Mexico…
Genius of Photography (TV Series) (2007): Stunningly comprehensive six–part series that looks at the world's most influential art form, from the pioneering days of daguerreotypes right…
Glass: A Portrait Of Philip In Twelve Parts (2007): Dir. Scott Hicks
Feat. Philip Glass; Epic doco of seminal composer Glass covers his life, influences, and his working process. Filmed over 3 continents in 18 months, this is hugely…
Gravy, The (TV Series) (2007): Insightful local arts magazine–style series made by Sticky Pictures for the now defunct TVNZ 7 channel that was a “30 minute tour through…
Lagerfeld Confidential (2007): Dir. Rodolphe Marconi
Feat. Nicole Kidman; Fleeting documentary revealing the enigmatic life of iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld through his creative livelihood and personal philosophy.…
Lovely Rita - A Painter's Life (2007): Dir. Gaylene Preston
Feat. Loren Taylor (Horsley); Evocative, celebratory remembrance of New Zealand’s Rita Angus, told primarily through a collection of over 300 letters the artist wrote to…
Manufactured Landscapes (2007): Dir. Jennifer Baichwal; Astounding 'environmental' documentary centering on the landscape photography of Edward Burtynsky, whose large–scale images of…
My Kid Could Paint That (2007): Dir. Amir Bar-Lev; The story of a 4–year–old art "prodigy" turns into a controversial debate when it becomes apparent that her abstract brushwork may well…
Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (2007): Dir. Ben Niles; A ‘making of’ documentary in the most literal sense, this follows the production process of a hand–crafted grand piano, as it passes down…
Obscene (2007): Dir. Daniel O'Connor, Neil Ortenberg; The definitive film biography of Barney Rosset, the influential publisher of Grove Press and the Evergreen Review, this charts his tumultuous career…
Quest For the Real Middle Earth, The (2007): Feat. Ian Holm; In–depth doco narrated by Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo in LORD OF THE RINGS) investigating the British locations and European languages that inspired…
Strange Culture (2007): Dir. Lynn Hershman-Leeson
Feat. Thomas Jay Ryan, Tilda Swinton, Peter Coyote; Topical and important docu–drama focusing on the charges of bio–terrorism brought against acclaimed artist Steve Kurtz after his wife's…
Tim Marlow On...Henry Moore at Kew (2007): Feat. Tim Marlow; Tim Marlow ventures outdoors this time to present the highlights from Henry Moore's exhibition at Kew Gardens. Marlow gracefully explains the themes…
Tim Marlow On...The National Gallery's Grand Tour (2007): Feat. Tim Marlow; A fresh look at some of the world's greatest paintings displayed for a short time at a temporary gallery – the streets of London. Art critic…
Trumbo (2007): Dir. Peter Askin
Feat. Joan Allen, Michael Douglas, Donald Sutherland…; Prominent blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo – the most famed of the alleged Communist sympathising ‘Hollywood 10’ – is the honoree of…
Walk Into The Sea, A (Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory) (2007): Dir. Esther Robinson; Peripheral Factory filmmaker and one–time Warhol lover Danny Williams is the subject of this intriguing doco directed by his niece, which…
Absolute Wilson (2006): Dir. Katharina Otto; Detailed, digestible documentary about the life and times of renowned experimental theatre director, Robert Wilson. Charting Wilson’s…
Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens (2006): Dir. Barbara Leibovitz; Gratifying portrait of the life and career of trail–blazing superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz, directed by her sister who exposes select…
Ans Westra - Private Journeys/Public Signposts (2006): Dir. Luit Bieringa; Photographer laureate Ans Westra takes to the other side of the camera in this insightful, contemplative retrospective of her photography, and…
Bacon's Arena (2006): Dir. Adam Low; Truly 'definitive' portrait of 20th Century painter Francis Bacon, commissioned by his Estate to mark the centenary of his birth. Dir. Low takes…
Bergman Island (2006): Dir. Marie Nyreröd
Feat. Ingmar Bergman; Just four years before his death, legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman sits down at his home on Fårö Island to discuss his work, his fears, his…
Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride (2006): Dir. Tom Thurman
Feat. Gary Busey, John Cusack, Benicio Del Toro…; Definitive documentary about the life and death of the late, great gonzo himself, Hunter S. Thompson. Visuals draw heavily on clips, including…
Cats of Mirikitani, The (2006): Dir. Linda Hattendorf; Tenderly constructed documentary revealing the compelling life of a homeless artist living on the streets of NYC who survived an internment camp,…
Francesco's Italy Top to Toe (TV Series) (2006): Further travels with charismatic Italian architect Francesco da Mosto, here giving a sweeping tour of the art, history and beauty of greater Italy by…
Helvetica (2006): Dir. Gary Hustwit; Treading unique, uncharted documentary territory is this lively case study on the ubiquitous typeface Helvetica, loved and loathed in equal parts for…
Magical World of Misery, The (2006): A short documentary on the creations and career of New Zealander Tanya Thompson (a.k.a. 'Misery'), who began as a hip graffiti artist and has gone to…
Marcello, A Sweet Life (Marcello, una vita dolce) (2006): Dir. Mario Canale, Annarosa Morri; Sincere Italian documentary exploring the life of great Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni through archival footage and testimonials from his…
Most Beautiful Women in Paris 2007, The (2006): Dir. Herve Lewis; Fashion industry guru Herve Lewis revives his love of black–and–white photograpy in this sensuous homage to the beauty of women. Lewis'…
New Oceania, The (2006): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Dir. Shirley Horrocks continues her excellent series on local artists and literary figures with an enthralling study of 'South Pacific' writer Albert…
Power of Art (TV Series) (2006): A scholarly, and indeed powerful, roam through art history’s seminal figures, with knowledge imparted by the revered Simon Schama. Disc 1…
Tim Marlow On...The Highlights of the New Tate Modern (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow; Art critic Tim Marlow presents a guided tour of the highlights of the New Tate Modern. In his accessible and intelligent style, Marlow dissects…
Unfolding Florence (The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst) (2006): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; Profiling eccentric Sydney personality Florence Broadhurst, dir. Gillian Armstrong reveals the lives less ordinary of Australia’s leading interior…
Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? (Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?) (2006): Dir. Harry Moses; Good–natured yet revealing art–world expose concerning 73–year–old trucker Teri Horton’s acquisition of a $5 thrift store…
Agatha Christie Code, The (2005): Covertly analytical doco, narrated by Joanna Lumley, investigating exactly what made Agatha Christie the world's second best selling author (after…
Garbo (2005): Dir. Kevin Brownlow, Christopher Bird
Feat. Greta Garbo; A portrait of the luminous, reclusive and mystifying star Greta Garbo, co–directed by filmmaker and historian Kevin Brownlow (BUSTER KEATON…
Girl in a Mirror (2005): Dir. Kathy Drayton; An acclaimed tribute to the life and times of Australian Carol Jerrems, who from the late–1960s onwards rose to fame as a gifted photographer…
How Art Made the World (2005): Flying in the face of Simon Schama's higher, learned arts emporium, this illuminating and invigorating study of human nature through art considers…
Jisoe (2005): Dir. Eddie Martin; Through the expression of graffiti art, Justin Hughes’ (aka Jisoe) daily plight is explored in this social commentary on Australia’s…
Matthew Barney - No Restraint (2005): Dir. Alison Chernick
Feat. Matthew Barney, Bjork; Uber–conceptual artist Matthew Barney boarded a Japanese whaling ship, replete with 45,000 pounds of petroleum jelly, in this documentary…
Michelangelo Superstar (2005): Dir. Wolfgang Ebert, Martin Papirowski; The agony and ecstasy of Michaelangelo’s twin passions – life and art – are examinedin this study of his artistic legacy and…
Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005): Dir. Sydney Pollack; Heaping praise on acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, Hollywood filmmaker Sydney Pollack crafts a loving, unashamed ode to his close friend and mentor…
That Man: Peter Berlin (2005): Dir. Jim Tushinski; Documentary about Peter Berlin, the model, porn star, photographer, film maker, clothing designer and gay cultural phenomenon. Told in his own words…
Tim Marlow On...The Museum of Modern Art (2005): Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow; This 2–part series provides an introduction to the highlights of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Art critic Tim Marlow takes us on a…
Who Laughs Last? (2005): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Short but informative documentary about New Zealand's most successful playwright, Roger Hall. Covers his long career writing for both the stage and…
Allie Eagle and Me (2004): Dir. Briar March; A portrait of an artist, dir. Briar March's highly personalised dedication to Allie Eagle confronts the painter's staunch feminist and lesbian…
Andy Goldsworthy - Rivers and Tides (2004): Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer; Visually beautiful, though essentially straightforward documentary on the Scottish landscape sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, who creates his work out of…
Colin McCahon: I Am (2004): Dir. Paul Swadel
Feat. Sam Neill; A sterling examination of the life and work of New Zealand's most renowned modern artist, Colin McCahon, who was born in 1919 and blossomed into a…
Derek Jarman: Life as Art (2004): Dir. Andy Kimpton-Nye
Feat. Tilda Swinton, Nigel Terry; Maddeningly conventional portrait of the iconoclastic director is lacking Jarman's own formal audaciousness, and is too often a clunky mix of talking…
Five Obstructions, The (5 Obstructions) (2004): Dir. Lars Von Trier, Jorgen Leth
Feat. Claus Nissen, Jorgen Leth; Arthouse big–shot Lars Von Trier pays off another gambit with what turns out to be a stimulating rumination on the process of film–making…
Frank Hurley - The Man Who Made History (2004): Dir. Simon Nasht; A probing documentary about the renowned pioneer of cinema documentary who specialised in extreme environments or ethnographic subjects, most…
How We Ruined the Italian Movie Business (Come inguaiammo il cinema italiano) (2004): Sprawling Italian documentary telling the story of Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, a treasured comedy duo from Sicily who began their careers as…
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004): Dir. Jessica Yu; The art of Henry Darger is brought to life in this absorbing document of closeted genius, rediscovering the work of an elderly recluse who, upon his…
Jeff Koons Show, The (2004): The life and work of polarising contemporary artist Jeff Koons is examined in this insightful, if uncritical documentary portrait. Curators,…
Marti - The Passionate Eye (2004): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A celebratory savour of the life and times of New Zealand photographer Marti Friedlander, who arrived from England in 1958 and proceeded to document…
Monster Road (2004): Dir. Brett Ingram; A revealing peek into the strange world of Bruce Bickford, a reclusive self–taught animator, most famous for his collaborations with Frank…
Star Portraits with Rolf Harris (TV Series) (2004): Under Rolf Harris’ artistic guidance, this unique art show commissions three professional artists to paint a portrait of a guest celebrity –…
Une Visite au Louvre (2004): Dir. Jean-Marie Straub, Daniele Huillet; A rigorous, if oddly illuminating art film about art, with Cézanne's own personal critiques of art narrated over a series of Louvre artworks, shot…
Vincent: The Full Story (2004): Dir. Mark James; Expertly assembled documentary of the great artist drawing on his early life –including previously untold accounts – and following…
Wrestling With The Angel - Janet Frame (2004): An unique insight into Janet Frame's private world, accurately framing her childhood years, psychiatric institutionalisation, and eventual freedom…
Art: 21 (TV Series) (Art in the 21st Century) (2003): A PBS documentary series looking at visual art in America in the 21st century, eliciting some fascinating insights from various creative types.…
Bukowski - Born Into This (2003): Dir. John Dullaghan; Hailed as the "definitive" documentary on the cult novelist and poet Charles Bukowski, whose insights into skidrow Los Angeles in the 1950s and 60s…
Frazetta - Painting With Fire (2003): Dir. Lance Laspina; Trail–blazing illustrator and comic artist Frank Frazetta is under the spotlight in this documentary on his life and work, showcasing his…
In Search of Shakespeare (2003): Presenter Michael Wood and award–winning director Greg Doran investigate the world of William Shakespeare. Using backstage recreations of…
Leonardo (TV Mini-series) (+ The Divine Michelangelo) (2003): Feat. Mark Rylance; Three–part BBC docu–drama exploring the life of Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, from early childhood to his death in 1519. Dramatic…
My Architect - A Son's Journey (2003): Dir. Nathaniel Kahn; A thoroughly intriguing documentary about the Jewish American architect Louis Kahn (born in Estonia) who struggling for years to be recognised,…
Photography As Told By Life Magazine (Photography Life) (2003): Dir. David Hoffman; Life Magazine's 50th Anniversary is celebrated with this passionate documentary, which showcases the the work of 15 of the magazine's greatest…
Plaster Caster (2003): Dir. Jessica Villines; Groovy "cockumentary" tracing the colourful career of artist and super–groupie Cynthia Albritton, who became infamous for making commemorative…
Private Life of a Masterpiece, The (TV Series) (2003): Expansive, all–encompassing art history as tackled by the BBC, canvassing masterpieces from the Renaissance era through to 20th Century works…
Secrets of Middle-Earth: Inside Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (2003): Dir. Chris Gormlie; An extensive documentary on J R R Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings', in which various experts comment on the story, its composition and themes, throwing…
Tintin et Moi (Tintin and Me) (2003): Dir. Anders Ostergaard; Fascinating and probably definitive look at the life and work of Hergé, the Belgian comicbook artist who from the 1930s onwards created the graphic…
Andy Warhol - The Complete Picture (2002): Dir. Chris Rodley; Commendable TV documentary on the multi–talented Warhol, provides updated information and fresh interviews from various associates.…
Goya: Crazy Like a Genius (2002): Renowned art critic Robert Hughes explores the world of Francisco Goya, charting his achievements as a court painter, satirist and war reporter, as…
Living Room, The (TV Series) (2002-2006): Nicely quirky and unpretentious TV series about different (mostly young) local artists living in New Zealand and overseas. Each episode is presented…
Mark Twain (2002): Dir. Ken Burns; A popular humorist, philosopher and social satirist, Mark Twain was the well–known nom–de–plume of writer Samuel Clemens, the…
True Meaning of Pictures, The (Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia) (2002): Dir. Jennifer Baichwal; A provocative look at the work of American photographer Shelby Lee Adams, whose images of impoverished Appalachian life have earned him a reputation…
Architecture (TV Series) (2001-2005): Dir. Stan Neumann, Richard Copans, Frederic Compain; Inspiring series devoted to the most ambitious creations of the 19th and 20th century. Featuring a wealth of archival material, scale–models…
Chop Suey (2001): Dir. Bruce Weber; Free–form homage to Bruce Weber's favourite things and an exploration of the lives of his subjects, including the beautiful 16 year old…
Early Days Yet (2001): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A quietly thoughtful and engaging look at the life and work of New Zealand poet Allen Curnow, filmed when Curnow was in his late–80s and still…
Hotere (2001): Dir. Merata Mita; Noted documentary on New Zealand's reclusive artist Ralph Hotere, constructed in non–linear, impressionistic style. Seven years in the making,…
Impressionists, The (2001): Dir. Bruce Alfred; A two–part examination of the French Impressionist movement, in which painters like Monet, Degas and Renoir captured visual reality in a…
Keep the River On Your Right (2000): Dir. David Shapiro, Laurie Shapiro
Feat. Tobias Schneebaum; Pursues the bizarre experiences of one Tobias Schneebaum, a gay NYC artist, who in the 1950s sought to ‘find himself’ in the jungles of the…
Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000): Dir. Kevin Brownlow
Feat. Lon Chaney; A comprehensive overview of the life and career of "Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney, one of the greatest actors of the silent era. Narrated by…
Naked States (2000): Dir. Arlene Donnelly; American concept–artist Spencer Tunick’s particular concept is to persuade ordinary folk to disrobe and pose in public places, often in…
Brakhage (1999): Dir. Jim Shedden; Conventional, though enlightening portrait of experimental film maverick Stan Brakhage, whose work consistently pushed the boundaries of the medium…
Frank Lloyd Wright (1999): Dir. Ken Burns; Epic biography of America's most esteemed architect (notably of the Guggenheim Museum and the 'Prairie'–style ranch–house), whose…
Getting to Our Place (1999): Dir. Gaylene Preston, Anna Cotrell; The creation of NZ’s national museum, Te Papa, was an exciting, self–conscious and fraught journey in defining the nation’s identity, this…
Original Schtick / Schtick Happens (1999-2002): Dir. Maciek Wszelaki; A stranger–than–fiction documentary following American visual artist and egotistical maniac Robert (Bob) Fischer on a bizarre tour of…
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand (1999): Dir. St. Clair Bourne; Documentary exploring the life and career of Paul Robeson, the singer, actor and political activist whose distinctive bass baritone is heard on some…
Source, The (1999): Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Dennis Hopper; Superb chronicle of the ‘Beat’ movement and the work of its founding fathers – Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs – and their…
Mouth Wide Open (1998): Dir. Jonathan Dennis; A portrait of pioneering NZ camera person and inventor Ted Coubray, who was one of the first people in Australasia to use a sound camera. Offers a…
Peter Beard: Scrapbooks from Africa and Beyond (1998): Dir. Guillaume Bonn, Jean-Claude Luyat
Feat. Charlotte Rampling; Expansive documentary presenting the life and career of one of the world's greatest adventure photographers and painters. Covers the major…
Turandot Project, The (1998): Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta; The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
Velvet Dreams (1998): Dir. Sima Urale; Director Sima Urale presents this short documentary investigating the world of 'velvet paintings' by traversing the Pacific to talk to artists and…
Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember (1997): Dir. Anna Maria Tato; Documentary about iconic Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, providing a full–career portrait across an indulgent 3+ hours. Based on…
Hone Tuwhare (1996): Dir. Gaylene Preston; The late poet laureate, Hone Tuwhare, is captured in this affectionate, candidly observed portrait of an artist. Filmed by Gaylene Preston in the…
Transformers (1996): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A short documentary about a mid–1990s international art exhibition which showcased works that 'transform' in various ways (create music, grow,…
Flip and Two Twisters (1995): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Exploring NZ film–maker Len Lye's other outstanding talent, this documents the ongoing quest to build full–size versions of his…
For Love or Money (1995): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An interesting documentary about the 1990s New Zealand art scene, in particular the rise in number of those collecting art, whether for pleasure or…
Lumiere and Company (1995): Dir. Various; Fitting homage to those pioneers of filmmaking, the Lumiere Brothers, made on Cinema’s Centennial celebrations in 1995. Forty directors were asked…
Paris Was a Woman (1995): Dir. Greta Schiller; Capturing a distinct ambience of early 20th century Paris, this feminist–orientated look at American–Parisians such as Gertrude Stein,…
Unzipped (1995): Dir. Douglas Keeve; A giddy slice of non–fiction, the camera gets intimate with the colourful world of fashion king Isaac Mizrahi, whose charm and humour survives…
Crumb (1994): Dir. Terry Zwigoff; Remarkable portrait of controversial cartoonist and non–conformist Robert Crumb. Documented over six years, his friend Terry Zwigoff manages to…
Dennis Potter - The Last Interview (1994): Dir. Tom Poole; The maverick writer's final interview (on the Southbank Show), made just weeks before his death, is a gripping and highly personal summing–up…
Annie Leibovitz (1993): Dir. Rebecca Frayn; South Bank Show biography of American photo–journalist Annie Leibovitz, whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. Melvyn Bragg…
Wild Swans (The Daughters of China) (1993): Dir. Mischa Scorer; Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans recollects the experiences that inspired her award–winning book.
Daddy and the Muscle Academy (The Art, Life and Times of Tom of Finland) (1992): Dir. Ilppa Pohjola; A fascinating delve into the mind of cult gay artist 'Tom of Finland', whose iconic hyper–masculine images of muscled, uniformed men and women,…
Masterpieces of the Hermitage (TV Series) (1992): A breathtaking tour through the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersberg, home to some three million works of art. Begining with the 14th century…
Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (TV Series) (1992): Strangely intriguing series hosted by Sister Wendy Beckett – an endearingly impish nun with a passion for paintings who takes her viewers on a…
Pleasures and Dangers (1991): A glance at the work and lives of six women artists in New Zealand; Alexis Hunter (painter), Alison MacLean (film–maker), Julia Morison…
Superstar - The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1991): Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Andy Warhol, Dennis Hopper; Told through the words of friends and admirers like Dennis Hopper, David Hockney, Tom Wolfe and Sylvia Miles, the life behind the enigmatic visage of…
Colin McCahon - Victory Over Death (1988): Dir. Judy Rymer; An award–winning documentary on New Zealand's most controversial and profound contemporary artist, and the social environment that influenced…
Len Lye - Doodlings (1987): Dir. Keith Griffiths; A refreshing paean to New Zealand's best known avant–garde filmmaker (who is equally famous for his kinetic sculptures). Features clips from…
Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (1987): Dir. Paul Cox; Engrossing and expressive documentary of the famous artist, using his own written letters and paintings as clues to his tortured personality. John…
Picasso: Man and His Work (1986): Dir. Edward Quinn; A two cassette anthology of perhaps the greatest painter of all time. This unique film reveals many unknown aspects of his work and personality, and…
Louie Bluie (1985): Dir. Terry Zwigoff; The feature debut of director Terry Zwigoff (CRUMB) explores the life and music of William Howard Taft Armstrong, (known as Louie Bluie), a blues…
Antonio Gaudi (1984): Dir. Hiroshi Teshigahara; The aesthetic worlds of architect Antonio Gaudi and Japanese visualist Teshigahara (WOMAN OF THE DUNES) collide with spectacular results in this…
Grasp Of Wind, A (1984): Dir. Robert Franken, Russell Campbell
Feat. Neal Gunn; Dutch born New Zealand visual artist Robert Franken's one–and–only directorial effort is a quietly surreal, wordless fable in which a…
Tribal Eye, The (TV Series) (1975): Feat. David Attenborough; New release of Sir David Attenborough's classic 1975 series exploring aspects of tribal art from indigenous communities all over the world –…
5 Films About Christo and Jeanne-Claude (Christo's Valley Curtain, Running Fence, Islands, Christo in Paris, Umbrellas) (1974-1995): Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles; The complete set of filmic documentations by the Maysles brothers (and various other directors) on the French concept–sculptors Christo and his…
Bigger Splash, A (1974): Dir. Jack Hazan; A whimsical, unconventional doco, interweaving the somewhat vacuous daily life of English painter David Hockney and his retinue, with the formal…
Edvard Munch (1974): Dir. Peter Watkins; Norwegian painter Munch's life and artistic genius is portrayed here in an original and hypnotic synthesis of documentary and drama, by acclaimed…
Andy Warhol and His Work (1973): Dir. Lana Jokel; Enigmatic pop artist Warhol's life and art is chronicled through a mixture of film footage and interviews.
Painters Painting (1973): Dir. Emile de Antonio; Both a beginner's and connoisseur's guide to "Abstract Expressionism", this excellent 70's documentary provides satiating first hand insights from…
Ciao! Manhattan (Edie) (1972): Dir. Sam Green, David Weisman
Feat. Roger Vadim, Isabel Jewell, Viva; The notorious documentary portrait of Andy Warhol 'superstar' Edie Sedgwick, whose beguiling good looks and dissolute lifestyle came to symbolise the…
Civilisation (TV Series) (1969): "Not a history of the arts, but a history of life–giving beliefs and ideas made visible and audible through the medium of art." Kenneth Clark's…
James Dean Story (1957): Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Martin Gabel; Martin Gabel narrates this portrait of James Dean created shortly after his death, which assembles the material available at this time, including…
Mystery of Picasso, The (1956): Dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot; Famed director Henri–Georges Clouzot gains exclusive entry into Pablo Picasso's inner creative sanctum, observing the master painter at work on…
Keri Hulme: An encounter with the acclaimed writer by Gaylene Preston plus an except from Hulme's short story 'Hooks and Feelers'. From the Education and…

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