While enduring a second quarantine, remaining at home is the only way to help decrease the daily cases that challenge our health system.
During these unprecedented times we are enduring, art can offer us a way to escape the hard reality and travel to a mythical space.
In order to help you spend this time inside as productive and interesting as possible, we have composed a list of ten art movies you absolutely need to watch. Here are some legendary art flicks to delve into.
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
Based on the famous original painting by Johannes Vermeer, this movie is set in the 1600s where the named artist- played by Colin Firth- is in love with Griet, played by Scarlett Johannsson. While painting, Vermeer and Griet work together and other members of the family begin to despise the idea.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen, depicts a young writer’s journey back in time during his visit to the city of love. Each night, Gil Pender – played by Owen Wilson – wanders the streets of the city and ends up travelling back to the 1920s and meeting several famous figures such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
SAVING BANKSY
The Saving Banksy documentary, which is about the known notorious street artist, is alluding to the fact that a New York gallery owner has made his purpose to remove Banksy pieces from the streets and bring them back to sell at record prices. Ironically, this is exactly what the artist’s pieces are criticising in the first place.
FRIDA
Portrayed by the talented Salma Hayek, Frida follows the life – private and professional – of the famous Mexican painter Frida Khalo. In the 20th century, Frida became one of the most talented surrealist artists. Navigating through her relationship with Leon Trotsky and Diego Rivera, we are witnesses to the sufferings she endured during her life.
MONA LISA SMILE
In this classic movie, an art teacher (Julia Roberts) begins to lecture in UCLA on the subject of art history. Soon she finds out that most of her students are more interested in becoming house wives and she seeks to inspire them through art to make better choices for their life. Constantly contradicts with traditionalists, Julia Roberts must find a way to get through.
POLLOCK
This movie about famed abstract artist Jackson Pollock is based upon his own autobiography. Demonstrating how he came to light as an established artist in America, the film presents the way Pollock became part of the next direction of modern art in the 50s.
BIG EYES
“Big Eyes” follows through the story of a painter in the 1950s, Margaret Keane –played by Amy Adams – who created pieces depicted the subject with uncommonly large eyes. When she met her future husband, Walter Keane, he promised her to sell her art for her while not subtly at all claiming it as his own. Margaret seeks justice to provide a life for her daughter and bring to light the true creator of the iconic paintings.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
Banksy’s first directorial debut through this film was premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2010 and met with rave reviews. “Exit Through The Gift Shop” is about a French shop keeper who attempted to locate and document Banksy on camera, but the moment he finally met the man the camera got turned into him. The film portrays the graffiti artists at work with exclusive interviews and works.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE LISTERS?
This documentary goes deep into street artist Anthony Lister’s life. The viewers are becoming witnesses of his personal demons during his career and the way his family worked as a motivating factor throughout all of it.
WHITELEY
“Whiteley” is a film that brings the viewers into the private life of artist Brett Whiteley, through letters, interviews and photos. This movie follows the artist’s attempt to reach such heights in the art community, affectedly ended with a terrible downfall. The documentary is great at showing how his trailblazing works, became a way for others to follow in his footsteps and shake up the community.
Inspired by these art films? Check out our current exhibition “Wonderland” to find out more art and get some gifts for you and your friends.
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