Watch Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures

Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is a documentary film that provides an insightful and comprehensive look into the life and works of Robert Mapplethorpe. This artistic genius was one of the most controversial photographers of the twentieth century, renowned for his provocative and often explicit images. The documentary is produced and directed by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, the team behind many notable documentaries such as Party Monster, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Inside Deep Throat. The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike upon its release in 2016, providing a fresh and unique perspective on the life and art of Robert Mapplethorpe.

The film features interviews with family members, friends, associates, critics, and lovers of Mapplethorpe. The interviews provide intimate insights into the man behind the iconic photographs, revealing his struggles, passions, and influences. The documentary also features rarely-seen archival footage, including some of Mapplethorpe's earliest works and interviews with the controversial artist himself.

One of the standout features of the documentary is the way in which it examines the controversy surrounding Mapplethorpe's works. His photographs often depicted explicit sexual acts, and he was accused of blurring the lines between art and pornography. Mapplethorpe tested the boundaries of acceptability, and his art has been the subject of much debate and discussion, especially in the conservative political and social climate of the 1980s.

However, the film is also keen to explore the artistic merit of Mapplethorpe's works, which featured not only sexually explicit images but also striking portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. The documentary shows how Mapplethorpe's works were influenced by classical art and aesthetics, and how they transformed contemporary photography.

Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is also notable for the way it contextualizes the artist's work within the cultural, social, and political landscape of the time. Mapplethorpe's photographs were part of a broader movement that sought to challenge traditional artistic and societal norms surrounding sexuality, gender, and identity. The documentary shows how Mapplethorpe's images subverted and redefined cultural attitudes to sexuality and identity, making him an important figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The documentary also delves into Mapplethorpe's personal life, revealing his relationships, his artistic process, and his struggle with AIDS. Mapplethorpe lived and worked in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and he became an advocate for AIDS research and palliative care. The documentary shows how his work became a powerful symbol of hope and resistance in the face of a devastating disease.

At its core, Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is a celebration of Robert Mapplethorpe's life and works. The film showcases his greatest photographs, from his early experiments with Polaroids to his iconic black and white portraits of celebrities, artists, and everyday people. The film captures the beauty, power, and complexity of his images, and attests to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century.

In conclusion, Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in photography, art, and culture. It is a moving exploration of a remarkable artist's life and works, and a testament to the power of art to challenge and subvert the status quo.

Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 75.