Watch Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies

Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies is a unique documentary film from 2008 that examines the impact of early cinema on the evolving art of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Directed by Arne Glimcher, the film delves into the ways that artists like Picasso and Braque were influenced by the visual language of films, and how they incorporated filmic elements into their own work.

The film is structured around interviews with a variety of experts on art history, film, and culture, including Alexander Blaise, Adam Gopnik, and Tom Gunning. Through these conversations, we learn about the historical context in which Picasso and Braque were creating their art, and how cinema was viewed as a revolutionary new medium that had the potential to change the world.

One of the key insights of the film is that cinema provided artists like Picasso and Braque with a new way of seeing the world. Early films featured dizzying, surreal imagery that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with moving images, and these avant-garde films were influential in helping the artists expand their own artistic vision. The filmmakers show how Picasso and Braque, through their experimentation with cubism, were able to incorporate the fragmented, disorienting visuals of films into their own work.

Another fascinating aspect of the movie is its focus on the cultural milieu of early 20th century Paris, where Picasso and Braque were part of a close-knit community of artists, writers, and intellectuals. The film features numerous examples of artwork from this period, from the cubist paintings of Picasso and Braque to the surrealistic films of Man Ray and Fernand Léger. By placing Picasso and Braque's work in this broader artistic context, the filmmakers are able to show how their innovations fit into a larger cultural and intellectual movement.

Throughout the film, the experts interviewed offer a wealth of insights into the ways that cinema influenced Picasso and Braque's work. For example, Gunning discusses the ways that early films were structured around a series of fragments and juxtapositions, which was similar to the way that the cubists approached their own work. Blaise, meanwhile, talks about how cinema was a way of breaking out of traditional modes of seeing and perceiving, which was crucial to Picasso and Braque's efforts to challenge the norms of art.

One of the most effective parts of the film is its use of archival footage and photographs to illustrate the points being made by the experts. We see clips from some of the earliest films ever made, as well as still images of Picasso and Braque's work and the cultural context in which they were created. These visuals help to bring the history to life, and make it easier for the audience to visualize the connections between cinema and cubism.

Overall, Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies is a thought-provoking and visually stunning documentary that explores some fascinating links between two seemingly unrelated art forms. The film is packed with insights and information, yet it never feels dry or academic; instead, it's a lively and engaging exploration of the ways that art and culture intersect and influence one another. Whether you're a fan of cubism, early cinema, or both, this film is sure to broaden your horizons and provide you with a new perspective on the art of Picasso and Braque.

Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 48.