Watch Eva Hesse

"Eva Hesse" is a 2016 biopic film about the life and work of the German-American artist Eva Hesse, directed by Marcie Begleiter. The movie features Selma Blair as Eva Hesse, Bob Balaban as her father, and Patrick Kennedy as her husband, Tom Doyle. The film explores the life and struggles of the artist as she navigates the burgeoning art scene in New York City during the 1960s.

The plot of the movie is centered on the life of the artist, who is known for her unique sculptures and pioneering contribution to the minimalist art movement of the 1960s. The film begins with Hesse's arrival in New York with her family as a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s. The film then follows Hesse's life from her early days as a struggling artist through to her breakthrough in the New York art scene, and her eventual death at the young age of 34 due to a brain tumor.

Throughout the film, there are numerous flashbacks and interviews with the artist and her contemporaries that provide insight into her art and life. Additionally, the film features behind-the-scenes footage of Hesse working in her studio, as well as scenes of her exhibiting her work in various galleries and museums. The movie also examines Hesse's relationships with her family, her husband, and her peers in the art world.

One of the central themes of the film is the struggle of women artists to be taken seriously in the male-dominated art world of the time. Hesse's work, which was often experimental and unconventional, was met with skepticism and criticism from many of her male counterparts. The film sheds light on the challenges that female artists faced during this period, and how Hesse persevered through the obstacles to create a body of work that has since become widely recognized as a seminal contribution to the art world.

Another central theme of the film is the complex relationship between Hesse and her husband, Tom Doyle, also an artist. As the couple's careers developed, their relationship became increasingly strained, leading to separation and eventual divorce. The film explores the emotional and artistic impact that this separation had on Hesse, and the impact it had on her work.

Overall, "Eva Hesse" is a compelling and insightful portrait of an artist whose influence and impact on the art world continue to be felt today. Through interviews, archival footage, and dramatization, the film provides a rich and nuanced look at the life and work of this pioneering artist. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in the art and artists of the 1960s and beyond.

Eva Hesse is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 69.