Watch Hitler versus Picasso and the others

Hitler versus Picasso and the others is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the relationship between art and politics during the turbulent years of the 20th century. Directed by Claudio Poli and narrated by actor Toni Servillo, the film takes audiences on a journey through the lives of some of the most prominent artists of the time, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Georges Braque, and Max Ernst. Weaved throughout their stories is the looming presence of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, which sought to impose a rigid vision of art that aligned with their fascist ideology.

The film explores how these artists were affected by the political and social forces of their time, and how their work both reflected and resisted these pressures. One of the central themes of the documentary is the idea that art has the power to challenge authority and provoke social change. This is exemplified by the stories of Picasso and Dali, who used their art to express their dissent towards the Franco regime in Spain. Picasso's iconic painting, Guernica, which depicts the horrors of war, is a powerful symbol of this resistance.

The film also delves into the ways in which the Nazi regime sought to control the art world. The Nazis viewed modernist art as degenerate and sought to replace it with art that espoused their values of nationalism and conformity. This led to the infamous Degenerate Art Exhibition, which showcased works by artists such as Ernst and Braque alongside derogatory labels and descriptions. The film itself draws on historical footage of the exhibition to highlight the stark contrast between the expressive, imaginative works of the modernists and the mundane, propaganda-like works of the Nazis.

Throughout the documentary, the interviews with art historians and experts such as Timothy Garton Ash and Jean-Marc Dreyfus provide insightful commentary on the impact that art can have on society. They also offer a deeper understanding of the social and political context in which the artists of the time were living and working. Through their analysis, we come to understand how the art of the time was both shaped by and influential in shaping the political landscape.

The documentary is visually stunning, with a wealth of archival footage and photorealistic animations that bring the stories to life. The filmmakers also take a creative approach to storytelling, framing the interviews and historical footage within a series of evocative visual metaphors. The use of music, too, is powerful, with a haunting score that echoes the themes of the film.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Hitler versus Picasso, and the others, is the way in which it brings together the stories of multiple artists into a single narrative. By doing so, the film effectively illustrates the wide-ranging impact that art can have on society, and the different ways in which artists respond to political and social pressures. It's a testament to the filmmakers' skill that they are able to weave these disparate stories into a cohesive and engaging whole.

Overall, this is a documentary that will appeal not only to art enthusiasts, but also to anyone interested in the impact that art can have on society. By presenting a nuanced and wide-ranging portrait of the artists of the time, the film helps us to understand how art can be used as a tool for both dissent and affirmation, and how it can serve as a mirror for the social and political landscape in which it is created.

Hitler versus Picasso and the others is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.