Subgenre Sampler
Arts & Artists: 425 Films to Buy & Rent
- Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis (2023)
- Dir. Anton Corbijn
- The story of Aubrey “Po” Powell and Storm Thorgerson, a couple of unlikely London lads who stumbled into forming the coolest art design group of…
- Hemingway (2021)
- Dir. Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
- Expansive 3–part documentary on the life of American writer Ernest Hemingway, exploring both his life and his extraordinary writing, which had…
- My Name is Gulpilil (2021)
- Dir. Molly Reynolds
Feat. David Gulpilil
- A documentary memoir of the late great actor and dancer David Gulpilil, an Aboriginal Australian of the Yolngu people who starred in movies such as…
- Raphael: The Young Prodigy (2021)
- Dir. Massimo Ferrari
- A documentary about the Italian painter Raphael, and his extraordinary contribution to the short–lived High Renaissance movement of the late…
- Velvet Queen, The (2021)
- Dir. Marie Amiguet
- An incredible nature documentary from France as much about the human animal as the animal kingdom. It follows renowned wildlife photographer Vincent…
- Botticelli, Florence and the Medici (2020)
- Dir. Marco Pianigiani
- A documentary exploring Renaissance Florence and its astonishing art and culture, centering around the life of revolutionary artist Sandro Botticelli…
- Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful (2020)
- Dir. Gero von Boehm
- Wildly successful photographer Helmut Newton made a name for himself exploring the female form over many decades, and his cult status continues long…
- Painter and the Thief, The (2020)
- Dir. Benjamin Ree
- A astonishing art documentary about the Czech painter Barbora Kysilkova, who tracked down and met the criminal who stole her paintings.
What…
- Resistance (2020)
- Dir. Jonathan Jakubowicz
Feat. Jesse Eisenberg, Clemence Poesy, Géza Röhrig…
- Handsomely mounted biopic based on the life of Marcel Marceau. Jesse Eisenberg impresses as the mime artist who fought for the French Jewish…
- Aznavour By Charles (Le regard de Charles) (2019)
- Dir. Charles Aznavour, Marc di Domenico
- Documentary exploring the extensive film diaries of French–Armenian singer, songwriter and actor Charles Aznavour, which he shot from the late…
- Burnt Orange Heresy, The (2019)
- Dir. Giuseppe Capotondi
Feat. Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki, Mick Jagger…
- Sophisticated crime thriller set in the privileged world of fine art, where an art critic (Claes Bang, who played the unfortunate gallery curator in…
- Frida: Viva La Vida (2019)
- Dir. Giovanni Troilo
Feat. Asia Argento
- Asia Argento narrates this documentary about the enigmatic, iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, exploring her letters and diaries to present both the…
- Hermitage: The Power of Art (Ermitage. Il potere dell'arte) (2019)
- Dir. Michele Mally
- A documentary about the Hermitage in St Petersburg, a vast museum boasting the largest collection of paintings in the world. Explores the daily life…
- Jean Paul Gaultier: Freak and Chic (2019)
- Dir. Yann L’Henoret
- An all access look behind the scenes into the glamorous world of visionary French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, as he prepares an outrageous…
- Leunig Fragments, The (2019)
- Dir. Kasimir Burgess
- A documentary portrait of Michael Leunig, the cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet who counts as one of Australia's National Living…
- Mapplethorpe (2019)
- Dir. Ondi Timoner
Feat. Matt Smith, Marianne Rendon, John Benjamin Hickey
- Biopic of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, with Matt Smith portraying the brilliantly provocative photographer and gay icon.
- Marriage Story (2019)
- Dir. Noah Baumbach
Feat. Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern…
- A brutal, funny and at times almost unbearably insightful depiction of the divorce of an upper class stage director and actress (played brilliantly…
- Martha: A Picture Story (2019)
- Dir. Selina Miles
- Suburb documentary about photographer Martha Cooper, who saw the value and beauty in New York graffiti in the 1970's, and became an icon of the…
- Mrs Lowry & Son (2019)
- Dir. Adrian Noble
Feat. Vanessa Redgrave, Timothy Spall
- The life of the renowned British artist L. S. Lowry is the subject of this entertaining biopic, with Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave superb as the…
- Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2019)
- Dir. Laura Gabbert
- Documenting the collaboration between world renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this documentary follows…
- Prado Museum, The: A Collection of Wonders (2019)
- Dir. Valeria Parisi
- Documentary telling the story of Spain's magnificent Prado Museum, celebrating its 200th birthday. Explores an incredible collection of over 8000 art…
- Souvenir, The (2019)
- Dir. Joanna Hogg
Feat. Honor Swinton Byrne, Tom Burke, Tilda Swinton
- Brilliantly observed and fiercely unconventional drama from writer–director Joanna Hogg (EXHIBITION) introspectively exploring the life of a…
- Stuffed (2019)
- Dir. Erin Derham
- A documentary about the fascinating and mysterious world of taxidermy, featuring passionate artists and experts and providing a fully rounded…
- Tintoretto: A Rebel in Venice (2019)
- Dir. Giuseppe Domingo Romano
- With the enchanting narrative voice of Helena Bonham Carter, a new exciting cinema production celebrates the 500th anniversary of the birth of the…
- Tolkien (2019)
- Dir. Dome Karukoski
Feat. Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Colm Meaney…
- An accomplished dramatisation of the formative years of the orphaned author J.R.R. Tolkien (LORD OF THE RINGS) as he finds friendship, love and…
- Varda By Agnes (2019)
- Dir. Agnes Varda
Feat. Agnes Varda
- Belgian–born film–maker/photographer/artist Agnès Varda takes a seat on a theatre stage to present photos and film excerpts that provide…
- At Eternity's Gate (2018)
- Dir. Julian Schnabel
Feat. Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Mads Mikkelsen…
- Immersive, naturalistic portrait of Van Gogh during the time he lived in Arles and Auvers–sur–Oise, France. Directed by Julian Schnabel…
- Eyes of Orson Welles, The (2018)
- Dir. Mark Cousins
- Mark Cousins (THE STORY OF FILM – AN ODYSSEY) examines the visual world of Orson Welles through his non–cinematic work, uncovering new…
- Klimt and Schiele: Eros and Psyche (2018)
- Dir. Michele Mally
- A documentary exploring the art world of turn–of–the–century Vienna, where Gustav Klimt and his rebellious protégé Egon Schiele…
- Kusama - Infinity (2018)
- Dir. Heather Lenz
- The incredible story of top–selling artist Yayoi Kusama, who overcame countless odds (wartime trauma, mental illness, sexism, racism) to bring…
- McQueen (2018)
- Dir. Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
- Documentary about the extraordinary life and work of British designer Alexander McQueen, whose fashion shows, described as "savagely beautiful",…
- Price of Everything, The (2018)
- Dir. Nathaniel Kahn
- Exploring the labyrinth of the contemporary art world, this documentary examines the role of art and artistic passion in todays money–driven,…
- Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Played with Fire (2018)
- Dir. Henrik Georgsson
- Comprehensive documentary about Swedish author Stieg Larsson, who died at the age of 50, and posthumously became one of the world's most famous…
- Water Lilies of Monet: The Magic of Water and Light (2018)
- A journey through the masterpieces and obsessions of the "Genius of Impressionism", with Ross King, author of Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the…
- Crashing (TV Series) (2017)
- Feat. Pete Holmes, George Basil
- Comedian Pete Holmes plays a fictionalised version of himself in this series about a New York comic who makes a new start in stand–up after his…
- David Bowie: The Last Five Years (2017)
- Dir. Francis Whately
Feat. David Bowie
- A documentary exploring David Bowie's final two albums, The Next Day and Blackstar, and his stage play play Lazarus.
After retiring from live…
- Faces Places (2017)
- Dir. Agnes Varda, JR
Feat. Agnes Varda, JR
- Charming French documentary created by and starring beloved new wave director Agnes Varda, who recruits a charismatic young photographer/muralist…
- Final Portrait (2017)
- Dir. Stanley Tucci
Feat. Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clemence Poesy…
- The chaos and beauty of the artistic process is examined in this biopic about world–renowned artist Alberto Giacometti (Geoffrey Rush),…
- Gauguin: Voyage de Tahiti (2017)
- Dir. Edouard Deluc
Feat. Vincent Cassel
- Vincent Cassel delivers a committed, absorbing performance as French painter Paul Gauguin. Set in 1891, when Gauguin exiled himself to Tahiti to…
- Have You Seen the Listers? (2017)
- Dir. Eddie Martin
- Masterful documentary on the life of world–renowned Brisbane artist Anthony Lister, exploring his origins as a street artist and his…
- I Am Heath Ledger (2017)
- Dir. Adrian Buitenhuis, Derik Murray
- A loving documentary about the life of renowned actor Heath Ledger. Deliberately eschewing his death at age 28 from a prescription drug overdose, the…
- Interlude in Prague (2017)
- Dir. John Stephenson
Feat. Aneurin Barnard, James Purefoy, Samantha Barks
- Period drama for those who loved AMADEUS, set in Prague in 1787, where Mozart has relocated to create his masterpiece Don Giovanni. But his presence…
- Kobi (2017)
- Dir. Andrea Bosshard, Shane Loader
- A loving portrait of Swiss goldsmith Kobi Bosshard, widely regarded as the grandfather of contemporary NZ jewellery, made by his daughter, filmmaker…
- Leaning into the Wind (2017)
- Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer
- Equally worthy follow–up to the director's previous film about Andy Goldsworthy, RIVERS AND TIDES, again providing a meditative and vibrant…
- Loving Vincent (2017)
- Dir. Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman
- Lovingly crafted portrait of Vincent Van Gogh uniquely rendered in oil painted animation. The film follows the endeavours of a young man whose…
- Maria by Callas (2017)
- Dir. Tom Volf
- Definitive portrait of the Greek–American opera singer Maria Callas, using her own writings, letters and reminiscences to tell the story of her…
- McKellen: Playing the Part (Ian McKellen: Playing the Part) (2017)
- Dir. Joe A. Stephenson
- Celebration of the extraordinary life and work of Sir Ian McKellen, based around excerpts from a 14 hour interview, but also including…
- Rumble: The American Indians Who Rocked The World (2017)
- Dir. Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana
- A fascinating and rousing documentary profiling the impact of American Indian musicians on the development of rock music. Musicians featured include…
- Banksy Job, The (2016)
- Dir. Ian Roderick Gray, Dylan Harvey
- Like an inferior fan–made follow up to EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, this art–heist documentary follows the self–described art…
- Cameraperson (2016)
- Dir. Kirsten Johnson
- Extraordinary autobiographical documentary by acclaimed cinematographer Kirsten Johnson, who has collected film clips spanning the past 10 years of…
- David Lynch: The Art Life (2016)
- Dir. Jon Nguyen
- An essential portrait of film–making iconoclast David Lynch, who takes us on an intimate journey from his childhood in idyllic small town…
- Family Fang, The (2016)
- Dir. Jason Bateman
Feat. Nicole Kidman, Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn…
- The Fang siblings, raised by performance artist parents, return home as adults with their own artistic careers in this art–world family…
- Guv'nor, The (2016)
- Dir. Paul Van Carter
- Fascinating documentary about notorious East End boxer, bouncer and latter–day actor Lenny McLean, told from the perspective of his only son,…
- heART of the matter, The (2016)
- Dir. Luit Bieringa
- A valuable historical documentary tracing the remarkable shifts in educational philosophy in New Zealand during the post WWII years, in which…
- Kate Plays Christine (2016)
- Dir. Robert Greene
Feat. Kate Lyn Sheil
- A fascinating documentary following an actress who is preparing to play the role of newscaster Christine Chubbuck, who famously committed suicide on…
- Manifesto (2016)
- Dir. Julian Rosefeldt
Feat. Cate Blanchett
- Brilliantly conceived and executed homage to the tradition of artist manifestos, which poses intelligent questions about the role of the artist in…
- Marina Abramovic in Brazil: The Space in Between (2016)
- Dir. Marco Del Fiol
- Intriguing documentary following the provocative and adventurous Serbian performance artist Marina Abramovic (THE ARTIST IS PRESENT) as she travels…
- Maudie (2016)
- Dir. Aisling Walsh
Feat. Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins, Kari Matchett…
- An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the…
- Minute Bodies (The Intimate World of F. Percy) (2016)
- Dir. Stuart A. Staples, David Reeve
- A meditative, immersive film from David Reeve and 'Tindersticks' frontman Stuart A. Staples that tributes the astonishing work of naturalist,…
- Project Greenlight (TV Series) - Season 4 (2016)
- Dir. Jason Mann
Feat. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
- The fourth season of the excellent HBO series in which the winners of a film–making competition are followed through the production process of…
- Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach (2016)
- Dir. Louise Osmond
- A revealing tribute to the life and career of one of Britain's most eminent film–makers and socially–conscious artists, whose prolific…
- Whiteley (2016)
- Dir. James Bogle
- A vivid and stimulating chronicle of the life and art of troubled Australian painter Brett Whiteley, who died in 1992 at the age of 53, and helped to…
- Best of Enemies (2015)
- Dir. Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville
- Riveting account of the frequently explosive televised debates between the liberal Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley that transfixed…
- Call My Agent (TV Series) (Dix pour cent) (2015)
- Feat. Camille Cottin, Liliane Rovere, Thibault de Montalembert
- French TV drama set in a talent agency and following the lives of the agents as they combine art with business and juggle their private and…
- Francofonia (2015)
- Dir. Alexandr Sokurov
Feat. Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Benjamin Utzerath
- A richly evocative and insightful historical cine–essay from celebrated dir. Alexander Sokurov (RUSSIAN ARK) that charts the relationship…
- Heart of a Dog (2015)
- Dir. Laurie Anderson
Feat. Laurie Anderson
- Prolific performance artist Laurie Anderson directs this brave but gentle autobiographical cinematic essay, centered around themes of death and love,…
- Miss Sharon Jones! (2015)
- Dir. Barbara Kopple
- Energetic as well as intimate, this portrait of the mighty soul singer by acclaimed documentarian Barbara Kopple bravely chronicles the effect that…
- Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015)
- Dir. Lisa Immordino Vreeland
- Luminous portrait of the arts patron extraordinaire who transformed a modest fortune and adventurous taste into one of the premier collections of…
- Reset (Relève: Histoire d'une création) (2015)
- Dir. Thierry Demaizière, Alban Teurlai
- Delightful depiction of renowned choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied (best known for choreographing the dance sequences in Black Swan) in his…
- Seymour: An Introduction (2015)
- Dir. Ethan Hawke
- Award–winning documentary on the life and career of classical pianist Seymour Bernstein, who abandoned fame as a performer in favour of a…
- What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
- Dir. Liz Garbus
- Essential biographical documentary about the extraordinary Nina Simone, filled with previously unseen archival footage of the singer, and produced by…
- Winter at Westbeth (2015)
- Dir. Rohan Spong
- A vibrant showcase of three elderly artists who reside in the historic and unique Westbeth Artists Housing in New York City's west village. Filmed…
- Woman in Gold (2015)
- Dir. Simon Curtis
Feat. Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl…
- Helen Mirren elevates this polished if prosaic dramatisation of an elderly Jewish woman who teams with a rookie lawyer (Reynolds) to seek restorative…
- Art + Soul (2014)
- An in depth journey through the heritage, politics and imagination in contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Presented by Hetti…
- Banksy Does New York (2014)
- Dir. Chris Moukarbel
- Documentary chronicling the famed street artist's "31 works of art in 31 days" in New York city.
- Big Eyes (2014)
- Dir. Tim Burton
Feat. Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston…
- Director Tim Burton refreshingly breaks with fantasy for this resplendent biopic of painter Margaret Keane, whose prolific and popular work was…
- Effie Gray (2014)
- Dir. Richard Laxton
Feat. Dakota Fanning, Greg Wise, Tom Sturridge…
- Written by Emma Thompson, this highly respectable period drama looks at the scandalous love triangle between Victorian art critic John Ruskin, his…
- Future Shock! The Story of 2000AD (2014)
- The story of mighty British sci–fi comic 2000AD is passionately told by the creators and artists Pat Mills, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, John…
- Great Museum, The (2014)
- Dir. Johannes Holzhausen
- Fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most famous cultural institutions in the world, The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
- Mr. Turner (2014)
- Dir. Mike Leigh
Feat. Timothy Spall, Paul Jesson, Dorothy Atkinson…
- Mike Leigh directs Timothy Spall in this acclaimed exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W.…
- National Gallery (2014)
- Dir. Frederick Wiseman
- Director Frederick Wiseman applies his rigorously patient and observational style to explore one of the great museums of the world: The National…
- Posthumous (2014)
- Dir. Lulu Wang
Feat. Jack Huston, Brit Marling, Tom Schilling…
- Satirical comedy set in the Berlin art world follows an artist who decides to cash in after rumours of his demise give his work new found prominence.
- Salt of the Earth, The (2014)
- Dir. Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
- A visually stunning and deeply affecting portrait of Sebastião Salgado, an acclaimed humanitarian photographer, who for over forty years has…
- Today's Russia: A Literary Landscape (2014)
- Feat. Stephen Fry
- Stephen Fry presents this overdue reappraisal of Russian literature for a Western audience. Imbued with Fry's characteristic personal touches and…
- Best Offer, The (2013)
- Dir. Giuseppe Tornatore
Feat. Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Donald Sutherland…
- An obsessive antiques dealer becomes entangled with an heiress who asks him appraise a series of family art works in this baroque mystery from CINEMA…
- Camille Claudel, 1915 (2013)
- Dir. Bruno Dumont
Feat. Juliette Binoche, Jean-Luc Vincent
- Another acting masterclass from the formidable Juliette Binoche intensifies this clear–sighted portrait of misunderstood sculptress Camille…
- Cutie and the Boxer (2013)
- Dir. Zachary Heinzerling
- An insightful and perceptive doco on the relationship between an elderly Japanese couple who also happen to be alternative artists: Ushio Shinohara,…
- Da Vinci's Demons (TV Series) (2013)
- Feat. Tom Riley
- A lavishly produced historical fantasy which imagines Leonardo da Vinci's life as an artist, inventor and genius.
Season One: eight episodes…
- Exhibition (2013)
- Dir. Joanna Hogg
Feat. Viv Albertine, Liam Gillick, Tom Hiddleston
- A brilliant and refreshingly unconventional portrait of a marriage from singular British director Joanna Hogg (ARCHIPELAGO), starring Viv Albertine…
- Finding Vivian Maier (2013)
- Dir. John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
- Doing for art world what SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN did for music, this arresting documentary discovers a nanny whose previously unknown cache of…
- Grayson Perry: All in the Best Possible Taste (TV Series) (2013)
- Turner–Prize winning artist and renowned transvestite Grayson Perry visits the taste tribes of Britain, dissecting the class system into three…
- Inside Out: The People's Art Project (2013)
- Dir. Alastair Siddons
- Documentary portrait of French artist and TED prize–winner JR (Jean–Pierre Romel), who creates a global participatory art project that…
- Lily Cole's Art Matters (2013)
- Feat. Lily Cole
- Supermodel and Cambridge Arts graduate, Lily Cole, hosts a series of intimate, observational portraits with some of today's most renowned…
- Painting, The (Le tableau) (2013)
- Dir. Jean Francois Laguionie
- Gorgeous French animation intriguingly set within a half–finished painting, which follows the characters (left in various states of completion…
- Reaching for the Moon (2013)
- Dir. Bruno Barreto
Feat. Gloria Pires, Miranda Otto, Tracy Middendorf…
- A chronicle of the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares.
- Summer in February (2013)
- Feat. Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens, Emily Browning
- The famous Cornish Artists Colony is the setting for this beautiful looking but ultimately uninspiring Edwardian tragiromance.
- Tim's Vermeer (2013)
- Dir. Teller
Feat. Penn Jillette
- Science and art coalesce in this extraordinary story of Texan tech pioneer and obsessive polymath Tim Jenison's attempt to perfectly reproduce a…
- Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012)
- Dir. Alison Klayman
- As he prepares for a new series of exhibitions, China's most famous contemporary artist and dissident is profiled in this superb documentary.
- Art of America (2012)
- Art critic Andrew Graham–Dixon guides us from the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts to the contemporary art scene in New York and LA in this…
- Creative Minds (2012)
- Geoffrey Rush headlines this insightful series of interviews with Australia artists who speak openly about their influences, personal development,…
- For No Good Reason (2012)
- Johnny Depp visits upon renowned graphic artist Ralph Steadman for this rightly mischevious portrait of the last of the original "Gonzo" visionaries…
- Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012)
- Dir. Ben Shapiro
- Engaging, illuminating documentary shot over a decade, that follows Crewdson as he roams a disintegrating suburban America and stages his…
- Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012)
- Dir. Philip Kaufman
Feat. Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen, David Strathairn…
- Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman spar in this highly mannered HBO biopic of famed war correspondent Martha Gellhorn's rocky romance with literary giant…
- Journal de France (2012)
- Dir. Raymond Depardon, Claudine Nougaret
- A revealing travel journal as survey of legendary French photographer and filmmaker Raymond Depardon's lens work as he captures fading pockets of his…
- Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present (2012)
- Dir. Matthew Akers, Jeff Dupre
- Mesmerising arts documentary that follows the Serbian–born veteran performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The…
- Persistence of Vision (2012)
- Dir. Kevin Schreck
- The fascinating journey of master animator Richard Williams (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) and his 30–year quest to create his ultimately…
- Renoir (2012)
- Dir. Gilles Bourdos
Feat. Michel Bouquet, Christa Theret, Vincent Rottiers…
- Sumptuous, sun–kissed art biopic based on the last years of impressionist painter Auguste Renoir (Bouquet) during World War I, and the…
- Words, The (2012)
- Dir. Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal
Feat. Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid…
- Bradley Cooper plays a struggling writer whose conscience gets the better of him when a found manuscript he passes off as his own achieves great…
- Best Of Palettes Collection, The (2011)
- Intriguing series using the latest in art investigation and video animation to explore the history, techniques and controversies behind some of the…
- Daytime Tiger (2011)
- Dir. Costa Botes
- In 1999, NZ writer Michael Morrissey was diagnosed with manic depression, or bi–polar disorder (Morrissey prefers the older term). He has…
- Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)
- Dir. Lisa Immordino Vreeland
- Whirlwind portrait of fashion trailblazer Diana Vreeland, a force of nature as former editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.
Known for her…
- Disappear in Light (2011)
- A distilled portrait of Wellington playwright and performer Jo Randerson, whose work towards the staging of her play "Good Night, The End" provides…
- Eames: The Architect and the Painter (2011)
- Dir. Jason Cohn, Bill Jersey
- A vital documentary on design power couple Charles and Ray Eames, whose enduring bond as both married partners and collaborators gave us numerous…
- Impressionists, The: Painting and Revolution (2011)
- A deep–focus investigation into the revolutionary achievements of the Impressionist movement by British art critic Waldemar Januszczak. Across…
- Look, The (2011)
- Dir. Angelina Maccarone
Feat. Charlotte Rampling
- In this fascinating series of conversations, Charlotte Rampling interviews a number of key collaborators during her career as a means of…
- Magic Trip (2011)
- Dir. Alex Gibney, Alison Ellwood
- Recovering 16mm footage shot during the maiden voyage of the psychedelic 'Magic Bus', this documentary reassembles a visual snapshot of the legendary…
- Manet: The Man Who Invented Modern Art (2011)
- British art critic Waldemar Januszczak hosts this illuminating portrait of 'the father of Impressionism', claiming to offer the first…
- Mill and the Cross, The (2011)
- Dir. Lech Majewski
Feat. Rutger Hauer, Michael York, Charlotte Rampling
- Polish experimental auteur Lech Majewski offers a breathtaking, elegantly construed anatomy of Pieter Bruegel's epic 1564 painting ''The Procession…
- This is Not a Film (2011)
- Dir. Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb
- Persecuted Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi turns the camera on himself in this galvanizing protest film about the physical and creative imprisonment of…
- Arbor, The (2010)
- Dir. Clio Barnard
- A grimly compelling portrait of hard–living British playwright Andrea Dunbar, most celebrated for writing seminal kitchen sink comedy RITA,…
- Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story (2010)
- Dir. Sarah Townsend
Feat. Eddie Izzard
- Potrait of the comedian Eddie Izzard's rise to fame from early influences, losing his mother to cancer at a young age before being sent with his…
- Bill Cunningham New York (2010)
- Dir. Richard Press
- A surprise sleeper hit on the arthouse box–office circuit, this is a poignant and gently humorous portrait of street fashion photographer Bill…
- Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
- Dir. Banksy
Feat. Banksy , Thierry Guetta
- A would–be filmmaker's documentary on renegade street artist Banksy is turned on its head, becoming an expose of the contemporary art world and…
- Genius of Design, The (2010)
- A highly accessible overview of 20th century industrial design movements and revolutions, this surveys everything from the emergence of modernism in…
- Gordon Crook: A Life in Art (2010)
- Dir. Clare O'Leary
- Thoughtful, and enlightening portrait of ex–pat British artist Gordon Crook, who since 1972 has called Wellington – and Aro Valley…
- Great Epochs of European Art, The (2010)
- A detailed, German–produced art history series illustrated by selected masterpieces of architecture, sculpture and painting. In addition to…
- Howl (2010)
- Dir. Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Feat. James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm…
- A fitting celebration and account of the making and hostile reception of Allen Ginsberg's famously controversial poem, with James Franco superb as…
- Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010)
- Dir. Tamra Davis
- A worthy and elegiac tribute to the neo–expressionist wunderkind, with dir. Davis deftly avoiding much of the usual bluster, instead focusing…
- L'Amour Fou (2010)
- Dir. Pierre Thoretton
- A moving document of the relationship between fashion designer Yves Saint–Laurent and his lover, Pierre Berge, remembered through their famed…
- Michael Smither - The Next Ten Years (2010)
- Dir. Tony Hiles
- Intimate two–part documentary following New Zealand artist and musician Michael Smither, as he prepares for his final dealer exhibition and…
- Mother of Rock - Lillian Roxon (2010)
- Dir. Paul Clarke
- Feisty Australian journalist Lillian Roxon is the subject of this rock time capsule, which frames the music revolution of the 60s and 70s against…
- Paris: The Luminous Years (2010)
- Illuminating documentary takes an overarching look at the literature and art that flourished in Paris during the first three decades of the 20th…
- Russian Snark (2010)
- Dir. Stephen Sinclair
Feat. Stephen Papps, Elena Stejko, Stephanie Tauevihi…
- A pair of Russian refugees settle in Auckland to make art and a new home in this eccentric yet accessible 'art comedy' from screenwriter and…
- Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and Other Stories (2010)
- Dir. Tim Rose, Jim Scott
- A bluntly honest portrait of New Zealand's most recognisable poet, with conversation by Hunt – along with friends, relatives, and other talking…
- Venice Revealed (2010)
- Author Peter Ackroyd adapts his definitive book on the history of Venice in this fascinating exploration of the art, architecture, music and theatre…
- Waste Land (2010)
- Dir. Lucy Walker
- Brazilian photographer Vik Muniz visits the world's largest rubbish dump, located outside Rio de Janeiro, to develop a unique artistic collaboration…
- William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010)
- Dir. Yony Leyser
- Celebrities and acolytes gather for this heady hagiography of the legendary beat author and American icon, most famous for his controversial novel,…
- 13 Most Beautiful... Songs for Andy Warhol's Screen Tests (2009)
- Dir. Andy Warhol
Feat. Dennis Hopper, Nico , Lou Reed…
- This exquisite selection of silent film portraits is the first authorized collection of Andy Warhol's films. The selection of 13 was narrowed down…
- Art and Copy (2009)
- Dir. Doug Pray
- A clear–headed, inspiring tribute to the 'creatives' behind some of the world’s most iconic advertising campaigns, slogans, and brands.…
- Art Of The Steal, The (2009)
- Dir. Don Argott
- Gripping art documentary gets behind the plight of art collector Dr. Albert Barnes, whose posthumous wish to have his fortune of…
- Boogie Woogie (2009)
- Dir. Duncan Ward
Feat. Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Alan Cumming…
- Broad satire of the modern art scene with Danny Huston as a supercilious art dealer scheming to get his hands on a rare Mondrian. Hugely…
- China Power - Art now after Mao (2009)
- Dir. Pia Getty
- A fascinating glimpse into China's modern art market, reflecting the ironies and contradictions of making art in the country's oppressive political…
- David Hockney - A Bigger Picture (2009)
- Dir. Bruno Wollheim
- Sound BBC–produced portrait of David Hockney, following the modernist art icon back to England after 25 years in Hollywood.
- Desperate Romantics (TV Mini-series) (2009)
- Feat. Rafe Spall, Samuel Barnett, Aidan Turner…
- Ribald treatment of the controversial art movement pays only cursory attention to their work and instead largely on their adventures in the bodice…
- Eating Art (TV Series) (2009)
- Delicious fusion of art history and gastronomic mysteries as celebrated restaurateur and art boffin Oliver Peyton takes the viewer on a tour of some…
- Georgia O'Keeffe (2009)
- Dir. Bob Balaban
Feat. Joan Allen, Jeremy Irons, Ed Jr. Begley
- This made–for–television biopic of American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz, is distinguished as…
- Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, The (2009)
- Dir. David Russo
Feat. Marshall Allman, Vince Vieluf, Natasha Lyonne
- Pleasingly off–kilter indie comedy bares witness to the spiritual crisis of an office clerk who joins a posse of bohemian night janitors who…
- Man In The Hat, The (2009)
- Dir. Luit Bieringa
- Sam Neill narrates this intimate portrait of veteran art dealer Peter McLeavey, commemorating his 40 years in the business of running an independent…
- Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
- Dir. Bruce Beresford
Feat. Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan…
- Enthralling true–life story traces the life of acclaimed ballet dancer Li Cunxin from his impoverished upbringing in communist China to the…
- Ne Change Rien (2009)
- Dir. Pedro Costa
Feat. Jeanne Balibar
- A smokey, high contrast insight into the artistic process from avant–garde filmmaker Pedro Costa, intensely focused on the methods of French…
- Objectified (2009)
- Dir. Gary Hustwit
- Gary Hustwit’s follow–up to the superb typography documentary HELVETICA delves into the unseen world of industrial design, investigating and…
- Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn (2009)
- Dir. Josh Whiteman
- Behind the defining look of Joy Division, U2, Depeche Mode and Simple Minds (curiously absent here), Dutch rock photographer turned filmmaker Anton…
- Tell Them Anything You Want - A Portrait of Maurice Sendak (2009)
- Dir. Spike Jonze, Lance Bangs
- These frank and insightful conversations with Maurice Sendak (and dir. Spike Jonze) paint a surprising portrait of the WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE…
- Visual Acoustics (2009)
- Dir. Eric Bricker
- Fans of modernist architecture will savour this docu–tribute to the life and career of Southern California architectural photographer, Julius…
- We Live in Public (2009)
- Dir. Ondi Timoner
- Armed to the teeth with dot–com millions, mad prophet–cum–performance artist Josh Harris goes off the deep end in this startling…
- Andy Warhol's Factory People (2008)
- Dir. Catherine Schorr O'Sullivan
Feat. Andy Warhol
- Nicely self–contained document of Andy Warhol's Factory and its workers, which does a great job of tracking down many of the hipsters and…
- Art of Spain (2008)
- Art critic Andrew Graham–Dixon continues his thorough exploration of national art with this focus on Spanish architecture and culture,…
- Art Star and the Sudanese Twins, The (2008)
- Dir. Pietra Brettkelly
- With a genuinely compelling subject to draw confession from, this oddly–topical documentary – on the increasingly common adoption of African…
- Bastardy (2008)
- Dir. Amiel Courtin-Wilson
Feat. Jack Charles
- Documentary about Jack Charles, a.k.a. "Jackie", the legendary Australian aboriginal stage and screen actor who was a victim of Australia's forced…
- Beaches of Agnes, The (2008)
- Dir. Agnes Varda
- A wonderfully light–footed collection of memories and monologues in documentary essay form from the queen of the French New Wave, Agnes…
- Beautiful Losers (2008)
- Dir. Aaron Rose
- A doco for the slacker generation, this early–nineties overview tenuously gathers such hipster artists as Harmony Korine (film), Ed Templeton…
- Between the Folds (2008)
- Dir. Vanessa Gould
- Charming (and potentially inspiring) doco from America's PBS channel exploring the ancient but perennially fascinating subject of…
- Chevolution (2008)
- Dir. Luis Lopez, Trisha Ziff
- Cuban revolutionary history is examined through photographer Alberto Korda’s iconic portrait of Che Guevara – now a ubiquitous and exploited…
- Concrete Canvas (TV Series) (2008)
- Ten part documentary series focused around renowned 3D pavement artist Julian Beever, who travels through ten different cities creating new…
- Cool School - Story Of Ferus Art Gallery, The (2008)
- Dir. Morgan Neville
- Los Angeles’ unheralded contemporary art scene is given the celebrity treatment in this uncharted history of the American pop art movement…
- Derek (2008)
- Dir. Isaac Julien
Feat. Derek Jarman, Tilda Swinton
- Heartfelt tribute to British vanguard filmmaker and gay activist Derek Jarman, whose radical ourvre is surveyed in conjuction with one of his final…
- Eternity Man, The (2008)
- Dir. Julien Temple
Feat. Lara Mulcahy, Grant Doyle, Christa Hughes
- Film adaptation of the opera of the same name by Jonathan Mills and Dorothy Porter. Explores the life of Arthur Stace, an Australian icon who earned…
- Everlasting Moments (2008)
- Dir. Jan Troell
Feat. Maria Heiskanen, Mikael Persbrandt, Jesper Christensen
- A touching, delicately shot memoir told from the perspective of a Finnish immigrant in Sweden who finds relief from her abusive husband in the art of…
- Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes (2008)
- Dir. Peter Rosen
- Delightful documentary chronicling a life on the road for American entertainer Garrison Keillor, whose radio show A Prairie Home Companion is a…
- Genius Party: Beyond (2008)
- Dir. Masahiro Maeda, Koji Morimoto, Kazuto Nakazawa
- Five more of Japans finest animators come together in this fine follow up. This time out the theme is "The Spirit of Creativity".
- Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008)
- Dir. Alex Gibney
Feat. Hunter S. Thompson
- Excellent portrait of the late Hunter S. Thompson, the revolutionary writer who pioneered 'Gonzo', a freewheeling style of subjective journalism.…
- Herb and Dorothy (2008)
- Dir. Megumi Sasaki
- Devotional New York art patrons Herb and Dorothy Vogel are the subject of this delightful portrait, taking us inside the couple’s modest one…
- Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner (2008)
- Dir. Murray Grigor
- A documentary about the life and work of visionary architect John Lautner (1911 – 1994), who worked primarily in California on residential…
- Little Ashes (2008)
- Dir. Paul Morrison
Feat. Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Javier Beltran…
- Meandering and soapy look at three of Spain's artistic enfant terribles; Luis Bunuel, Federico Garcia Lorca and Salvador Dali.
Focussing on the…
- Louise Bourgeois - The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine (2008)
- Dir. Marion Cajori, Amei Wallach
- At the ripe of age of 98, evergreen French artist and sculptor Louise Bourgeois continues to astound in this portrait of her captivating life's…
- Man On Wire (2008)
- Dir. James Marsh
Feat. Phillipe Petit
- Oscar–winning doco about a truly remarkable, one–of–a–kind subject; a cavalier French daredevil called Phillipe Petit who in…
- Miss Austen Regrets (2008)
- Dir. Jeremy Lovering
Feat. Samuel Roukin, Olivia Williams, Greta Scacchi
- Dramatized account of Jane Austen's later years, focused around the author as she approaches her 40th birthday and is forced to confront the missed…
- Palin on Art (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. Michael Palin
- Art–aficionado Michael Palin explores the works and history of some of the lesser–known artists that he holds dear to his heart.
The…
- Patti Smith: Dream of Life (2008)
- Dir. Steven Sebring
- Narrated by the rock icon herself, this intimate, lyrical observation of Patti Smith's art and philosophy plays rather like a sitting through one of…
- Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies (2008)
- Dir. Arne Glimcher
- Stately exploration of the influence of cinema's earliest pioneers, such as Georges Méliès, on Cubist painters Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.…
- Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect (2008)
- Dir. Markus Heidingsfelder
- Detailed portrait of Rem Koolhaas, the visionary Dutch architect and writer whose striking modernist creations include the Dutch Embassy in Berlin,…
- Rubbings From A Live Man (2008)
- Dir. Florian Habicht
- Film–maker Florian Habicht finds the perfect portrait subject in Warwick Broadhead, a fiercely independent, 40–year veteran of performing…
- Seraphine (2008)
- Dir. Martin Provost
Feat. Yolande Moreau, Ulrich Tukur, Anne Bennent
- Intimate, Cesar–winning portrait of troubled French artist Seraphine de Senlis, a little–known painter who worked as an impoverished…
- Synecdoche, New York (2008)
- Dir. Charlie Kaufman
Feat. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener…
- Screenwriting extraordinaire Charlie Kaufman turns his hand to directing for the first time with another amusing existential conundrum, here enjoying…
- Third Richard, The (2008)
- Dir. Danny Mulheron, Sarah Stretton
- A labour of love for actor–director Danny Mulheron, this explores the life and music of his unheralded grandfather, Richard Fuchs, a gifted…
- Universe of Keith Haring, The (2008)
- Dir. Christina Clausen
Feat. Keith Haring
- Celebratory portrait of the darling of the 80s New York art scene Haring revels in the accessibility of the artist as a public figure, more than…
- With Gilbert and George (2008)
- Dir. Julian Cole
- Poetic documentary about controversial art duo Gilbert and George, who work as a single entity and have mounted more exhibitions in museums and…
- Alice Neel (2007)
- Dir. Andrew Neel
- Documentary looking at the life and art of great American portrait painter Alice Neel, made by her grandson.
Accomplished examination of the great…
- Angel (2007)
- Dir. Francois Ozon
Feat. Charlotte Rampling, Sam Neill, Lucy Russell…
- Pretty costume drama follows the fortunes of an aspiring lady writer in Edwardian England.
Based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor (MRS PALFREY AT…
- Becoming Jane (2007)
- Dir. Julian Jarrold
Feat. Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters…
- The early chapters of Jane Austen’s literary life are dramatised in this rose–tinted biopic of her formative romantic…
- Big Picture, The (TV Series) (2007)
- Commentator Hamish Keith brings New Zealand’s imposing arts history down to earth in this appealing, highly accessible reappraisal of everything…
- Black, White and Gray (2007)
- Dir. James Crump
- Stilted documentary investigating the relationship between controversial photographers Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe and their influence on…
- Caravaggio (2007)
- Dir. Angelo Longoni
Feat. Alessio Boni, Elena Sofia Ricci, Jordi Molla…
- The tumultuous and adventurous life of Michelangelo Merisi, controversial artist, called by Fate to become the immortal Caravaggio. A violent genius…
- Celebration: Yves Saint Laurent (2007)
- Dir. Olivier Meyrou
- Intimate portrait of Yves Saint–Laurent, focussing on the legendary fashion designer's final show, as well as his complex relationship with…
- Chris and Don - A Love Story (Chris & Don) (2007)
- Dir. Guido Santi, Tina Mascara
- Love–letter–as–documentary recounting the poignant 33–year relationship between novelist Christopher Isherwood (author of…
- Chuck Close (2007)
- Dir. Marion Cajori
- The revered New York portraitist, famous for his giant photorealist heads (typically well over two metres in height), is the subject of this…
- Flightless: Bill Hammond's Cure for Being Kiwi (2007)
- Dir. Alan D'Arcy Erson
Feat. Ian Hughes
- An intriguing blend of drama and documentary are used to tell the story of an everyman who's life is falling apart at the seams when he is…
- Garbage Warrior (2007)
- Dir. Oliver Hodge
- Revealing documentary featuring eco architect Michael Reynolds who has spent the past three decades creating sustainable housing in the New Mexico…
- Genius of Photography (TV Series) (2007)
- Stunningly comprehensive six–part series that looks at the world's most influential art form, from the pioneering days of daguerreotypes right…
- Glass: A Portrait Of Philip In Twelve Parts (2007)
- Dir. Scott Hicks
Feat. Philip Glass
- Epic doco of seminal composer Glass covers his life, influences, and his working process.
Filmed over 3 continents in 18 months, this is hugely…
- Gravy, The (TV Series) (2007)
- Insightful local arts magazine–style series made by Sticky Pictures for the now defunct TVNZ 7 channel that was a “30 minute tour through…
- Lagerfeld Confidential (2007)
- Dir. Rodolphe Marconi
Feat. Nicole Kidman
- Fleeting documentary revealing the enigmatic life of iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld through his creative livelihood and personal philosophy.…
- Lovely Rita - A Painter's Life (2007)
- Dir. Gaylene Preston
Feat. Loren Taylor (Horsley)
- Evocative, celebratory remembrance of New Zealand’s Rita Angus, told primarily through a collection of over 300 letters the artist wrote to…
- Manufactured Landscapes (2007)
- Dir. Jennifer Baichwal
- Astounding 'environmental' documentary centering on the landscape photography of Edward Burtynsky, whose large–scale images of…
- Murder Party (2007)
- Dir. Jeremy Saulnier
Feat. Alex Barnett, Macon Blair, Paul Goldblatt…
- Fairly wretched horror comedy about a loner who crashes a Halloween party and finds himself at the mercy of a group of deranged NY artists determined…
- My Kid Could Paint That (2007)
- Dir. Amir Bar-Lev
- The story of a 4–year–old art "prodigy" turns into a controversial debate when it becomes apparent that her abstract brushwork may well…
- Nightwatching (2007)
- Dir. Peter Greenaway
Feat. Martin Freeman, Emily Holmes, Eva Birthistle
- Ambitious re–telling of the creation of Rembrant's famous 1642 Nightwatch, the controversial painting that ultimately lead the Dutch master to…
- Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (2007)
- Dir. Ben Niles
- A ‘making of’ documentary in the most literal sense, this follows the production process of a hand–crafted grand piano, as it passes down…
- Obscene (2007)
- Dir. Daniel O'Connor, Neil Ortenberg
- The definitive film biography of Barney Rosset, the influential publisher of Grove Press and the Evergreen Review, this charts his tumultuous career…
- Quest For the Real Middle Earth, The (2007)
- Feat. Ian Holm
- In–depth doco narrated by Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo in LORD OF THE RINGS) investigating the British locations and European languages that inspired…
- Starting Out in the Evening (2007)
- Dir. Andrew Wagner
Feat. Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose, Lili Taylor…
- An aging, all–but–forgotten author (Langella) finds himself the object of an eager grad student’s attention when she decides to make…
- Strange Culture (2007)
- Dir. Lynn Hershman-Leeson
Feat. Thomas Jay Ryan, Tilda Swinton, Peter Coyote
- Topical and important docu–drama focusing on the charges of bio–terrorism brought against acclaimed artist Steve Kurtz after his wife's…
- Tim Marlow On...Henry Moore at Kew (2007)
- Feat. Tim Marlow
- Tim Marlow ventures outdoors this time to present the highlights from Henry Moore's exhibition at Kew Gardens. Marlow gracefully explains the themes…
- Tim Marlow On...The National Gallery's Grand Tour (2007)
- Feat. Tim Marlow
- A fresh look at some of the world's greatest paintings displayed for a short time at a temporary gallery – the streets of London. Art critic…
- Trumbo (2007)
- Dir. Peter Askin
Feat. Joan Allen, Michael Douglas, Donald Sutherland…
- Prominent blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo – the most famed of the alleged Communist sympathising ‘Hollywood 10’ – is the honoree of…
- Walk Into The Sea, A (Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory) (2007)
- Dir. Esther Robinson
- Peripheral Factory filmmaker and one–time Warhol lover Danny Williams is the subject of this intriguing doco directed by his niece, which…
- Absolute Wilson (2006)
- Dir. Katharina Otto
- Detailed, digestible documentary about the life and times of renowned experimental theatre director, Robert Wilson.
Charting Wilson’s…
- Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens (2006)
- Dir. Barbara Leibovitz
- Gratifying portrait of the life and career of trail–blazing superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz, directed by her sister who exposes select…
- Ans Westra - Private Journeys/Public Signposts (2006)
- Dir. Luit Bieringa
- Photographer laureate Ans Westra takes to the other side of the camera in this insightful, contemplative retrospective of her photography, and…
- Art School Confidential (2006)
- Dir. Terry Zwigoff
Feat. Max Minghella, Sophia Myles, John Malkovich…
- CRUMB dir. Terry Zwigoff and comic book icon Daniel Clowes (GHOST WORLD) re–team for this darkly set, though often hilarious stakeout of the…
- Bacon's Arena (2006)
- Dir. Adam Low
- Truly 'definitive' portrait of 20th Century painter Francis Bacon, commissioned by his Estate to mark the centenary of his birth.
Dir. Low takes…
- Bergman Island (2006)
- Dir. Marie Nyreröd
Feat. Ingmar Bergman
- Just four years before his death, legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman sits down at his home on Fårö Island to discuss his work, his fears, his…
- Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride (2006)
- Dir. Tom Thurman
Feat. Gary Busey, John Cusack, Benicio Del Toro…
- Definitive documentary about the life and death of the late, great gonzo himself, Hunter S. Thompson.
Visuals draw heavily on clips, including…
- Cats of Mirikitani, The (2006)
- Dir. Linda Hattendorf
- Tenderly constructed documentary revealing the compelling life of a homeless artist living on the streets of NYC who survived an internment camp,…
- Factory Girl (2006)
- Dir. George Hickenlooper
Feat. Sienna Miller, Hayden Christensen, Guy Pearce…
- Sienna Miller plays the ill–fated Warhol 'superstar' Edie Sedgwick in this flashy, precocious portrait of her rise and fall out of the New York…
- Francesco's Italy Top to Toe (TV Series) (2006)
- Further travels with charismatic Italian architect Francesco da Mosto, here giving a sweeping tour of the art, history and beauty of greater Italy by…
- Fur (2006)
- Dir. Steven Shainberg
Feat. Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey Jnr.
- Taking fictional liberties with the real–life character of revered New York photographer Diane Arbus, the dir. of SECRETARY fashions another…
- Goya's Ghosts (2006)
- Dir. Milos Forman
Feat. Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard…
- A lavish, if ill–designed costume epic based around Spanish artist Francisco Goya (Skarsgard), his closest acquaintances, and the eventful late…
- Helvetica (2006)
- Dir. Gary Hustwit
- Treading unique, uncharted documentary territory is this lively case study on the ubiquitous typeface Helvetica, loved and loathed in equal parts for…
- Impressionists, The (TV Mini-series) (2006)
- Dir. Tim Dunn
Feat. Richard Armitage, Andrew Havill, Julian Glover…
- A mini–series presentation of the intimate history of a most illustrious brotherhood of Impressionist artists – Monet, Degas, Renoir,…
- Magical World of Misery, The (2006)
- A short documentary on the creations and career of New Zealander Tanya Thompson (a.k.a. 'Misery'), who began as a hip graffiti artist and has gone to…
- Marcello, A Sweet Life (Marcello, una vita dolce) (2006)
- Dir. Mario Canale, Annarosa Morri
- Sincere Italian documentary exploring the life of great Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni through archival footage and testimonials from his…
- Miss Potter (2006)
- Dir. Chris Noonan
Feat. Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson
- Charming biopic tells the tale of Beatrix Potter – specifically the story of the woman behind the drawings – and her fixation from a…
- Most Beautiful Women in Paris 2007, The (2006)
- Dir. Herve Lewis
- Fashion industry guru Herve Lewis revives his love of black–and–white photograpy in this sensuous homage to the beauty of women. Lewis'…
- New Oceania, The (2006)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks continues her excellent series on local artists and literary figures with an enthralling study of 'South Pacific' writer Albert…
- Power of Art (TV Series) (2006)
- A scholarly, and indeed powerful, roam through art history’s seminal figures, with knowledge imparted by the revered Simon Schama.
Disc 1…
- Rape of Europa, The (2006)
- Dir. Bonni Cohen, Nicole Newnham
- Documentary about the huge amount of European art that was tragically stolen and damaged by Nazi Germany, and the effort by the Allies to return and…
- Tenants, The (2006)
- Dir. Danny Green
Feat. Dylan McDermott, Snoop Dogg, Rose Byrne…
- Gripping drama about two ambitious writers – one black, one white – who spar in an abandoned New York tenement block.
McDermott plays…
- Tim Marlow On...The Highlights of the New Tate Modern (2006)
- Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow
- Art critic Tim Marlow presents a guided tour of the highlights of the New Tate Modern.
In his accessible and intelligent style, Marlow dissects…
- Unfolding Florence (The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst) (2006)
- Dir. Gillian Armstrong
- Profiling eccentric Sydney personality Florence Broadhurst, dir. Gillian Armstrong reveals the lives less ordinary of Australia’s leading interior…
- Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? (Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?) (2006)
- Dir. Harry Moses
- Good–natured yet revealing art–world expose concerning 73–year–old trucker Teri Horton’s acquisition of a $5 thrift store…
- Agatha Christie Code, The (2005)
- Covertly analytical doco, narrated by Joanna Lumley, investigating exactly what made Agatha Christie the world's second best selling author (after…
- Garbo (2005)
- Dir. Kevin Brownlow, Christopher Bird
Feat. Greta Garbo
- A portrait of the luminous, reclusive and mystifying star Greta Garbo, co–directed by filmmaker and historian Kevin Brownlow (BUSTER KEATON…
- Girl in a Mirror (2005)
- Dir. Kathy Drayton
- An acclaimed tribute to the life and times of Australian Carol Jerrems, who from the late–1960s onwards rose to fame as a gifted photographer…
- How Art Made the World (2005)
- Flying in the face of Simon Schama's higher, learned arts emporium, this illuminating and invigorating study of human nature through art considers…
- Jisoe (2005)
- Dir. Eddie Martin
- Through the expression of graffiti art, Justin Hughes’ (aka Jisoe) daily plight is explored in this social commentary on Australia’s…
- Junebug (2005)
- Dir. Phil Morrison
Feat. Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Amy Adams…
- An enchanting indie gem about an art–dealer whose pursuit of an 'outsider artist' in backwoods North Carolina prompts various life crises,…
- Klimt (2005)
- Dir. Raul Ruiz
Feat. John Malkovich, Veronica Ferres, Stephen Dillane…
- Chilean director Raul Ruiz' typically idiosyncratic biopic about the life of the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) told in a series of…
- Matthew Barney - No Restraint (2005)
- Dir. Alison Chernick
Feat. Matthew Barney, Bjork
- Uber–conceptual artist Matthew Barney boarded a Japanese whaling ship, replete with 45,000 pounds of petroleum jelly, in this documentary…
- Michelangelo Superstar (2005)
- Dir. Wolfgang Ebert, Martin Papirowski
- The agony and ecstasy of Michaelangelo’s twin passions – life and art – are examinedin this study of his artistic legacy and…
- Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005)
- Dir. Sydney Pollack
- Heaping praise on acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, Hollywood filmmaker Sydney Pollack crafts a loving, unashamed ode to his close friend and mentor…
- That Man: Peter Berlin (2005)
- Dir. Jim Tushinski
- Documentary about Peter Berlin, the model, porn star, photographer, film maker, clothing designer and gay cultural phenomenon. Told in his own words…
- Tim Marlow On...The Museum of Modern Art (2005)
- Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow
- This 2–part series provides an introduction to the highlights of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Art critic Tim Marlow takes us on a…
- Who Laughs Last? (2005)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- Short but informative documentary about New Zealand's most successful playwright, Roger Hall. Covers his long career writing for both the stage and…
- Allie Eagle and Me (2004)
- Dir. Briar March
- A portrait of an artist, dir. Briar March's highly personalised dedication to Allie Eagle confronts the painter's staunch feminist and lesbian…
- Andy Goldsworthy - Rivers and Tides (2004)
- Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer
- Visually beautiful, though essentially straightforward documentary on the Scottish landscape sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, who creates his work out of…
- Brother to Brother (2004)
- Dir. Rodney Evans
Feat. Anthony Mackie, Larry Gilliard, Jr, Duane Boutte…
- Heartfelt drama delves deep into the quagmire of identity politics in its depiction of the challenges faced by gay black artists in America set both…
- Colin McCahon: I Am (2004)
- Dir. Paul Swadel
Feat. Sam Neill
- A sterling examination of the life and work of New Zealand's most renowned modern artist, Colin McCahon, who was born in 1919 and blossomed into a…
- Derek Jarman: Life as Art (2004)
- Dir. Andy Kimpton-Nye
Feat. Tilda Swinton, Nigel Terry
- Maddeningly conventional portrait of the iconoclastic director is lacking Jarman's own formal audaciousness, and is too often a clunky mix of talking…
- Five Obstructions, The (5 Obstructions) (2004)
- Dir. Lars Von Trier, Jorgen Leth
Feat. Claus Nissen, Jorgen Leth
- Arthouse big–shot Lars Von Trier pays off another gambit with what turns out to be a stimulating rumination on the process of film–making…
- Frank Hurley - The Man Who Made History (2004)
- Dir. Simon Nasht
- A probing documentary about the renowned pioneer of cinema documentary who specialised in extreme environments or ethnographic subjects, most…
- How We Ruined the Italian Movie Business (Come inguaiammo il cinema italiano) (2004)
- Sprawling Italian documentary telling the story of Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, a treasured comedy duo from Sicily who began their careers as…
- In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)
- Dir. Jessica Yu
- The art of Henry Darger is brought to life in this absorbing document of closeted genius, rediscovering the work of an elderly recluse who, upon his…
- Jeff Koons Show, The (2004)
- The life and work of polarising contemporary artist Jeff Koons is examined in this insightful, if uncritical documentary portrait. Curators,…
- Marti - The Passionate Eye (2004)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- A celebratory savour of the life and times of New Zealand photographer Marti Friedlander, who arrived from England in 1958 and proceeded to document…
- Modigliani (2004)
- Dir. Mick Davis
Feat. Andy Garcia, Elsa Zylberstein
- The debauched final years of painter Amedeo Modigliani (Garcia) – he of the famous paintings of almond–eyed women – are conveyed…
- Monster Road (2004)
- Dir. Brett Ingram
- A revealing peek into the strange world of Bruce Bickford, a reclusive self–taught animator, most famous for his collaborations with Frank…
- Star Portraits with Rolf Harris (TV Series) (2004)
- Under Rolf Harris’ artistic guidance, this unique art show commissions three professional artists to paint a portrait of a guest celebrity –…
- Une Visite au Louvre (2004)
- Dir. Jean-Marie Straub, Daniele Huillet
- A rigorous, if oddly illuminating art film about art, with Cézanne's own personal critiques of art narrated over a series of Louvre artworks, shot…
- Vincent: The Full Story (2004)
- Dir. Mark James
- Expertly assembled documentary of the great artist drawing on his early life –including previously untold accounts – and following…
- Wrestling With The Angel - Janet Frame (2004)
- An unique insight into Janet Frame's private world, accurately framing her childhood years, psychiatric institutionalisation, and eventual freedom…
- Art: 21 (TV Series) (Art in the 21st Century) (2003)
- A PBS documentary series looking at visual art in America in the 21st century, eliciting some fascinating insights from various creative types.…
- Brush With Fate (2003)
- Dir. Brent Shields
Feat. Glenn Close, Ellen Burstyn, Thomas Gibson…
- A cloistered prep school teacher (Close) reveals to a colleague (Gibson) that she is in possession of a lost painting – 'Girl in Hyancinth…
- Bukowski - Born Into This (2003)
- Dir. John Dullaghan
- Hailed as the "definitive" documentary on the cult novelist and poet Charles Bukowski, whose insights into skidrow Los Angeles in the 1950s and 60s…
- Frazetta - Painting With Fire (2003)
- Dir. Lance Laspina
- Trail–blazing illustrator and comic artist Frank Frazetta is under the spotlight in this documentary on his life and work, showcasing his…
- Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
- Dir. Peter Webber
Feat. Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson…
- A superior dramatic conceit that speculates on the background to Johannes Vermeer's enigmatic 17th century portrait of the title.
Johannson plays…
- In Search of Shakespeare (2003)
- Presenter Michael Wood and award–winning director Greg Doran investigate the world of William Shakespeare. Using backstage recreations of…
- Leonardo (TV Mini-series) (+ The Divine Michelangelo) (2003)
- Feat. Mark Rylance
- Three–part BBC docu–drama exploring the life of Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, from early childhood to his death in 1519. Dramatic…
- My Architect - A Son's Journey (2003)
- Dir. Nathaniel Kahn
- A thoroughly intriguing documentary about the Jewish American architect Louis Kahn (born in Estonia) who struggling for years to be recognised,…
- Photography As Told By Life Magazine (Photography Life) (2003)
- Dir. David Hoffman
- Life Magazine's 50th Anniversary is celebrated with this passionate documentary, which showcases the the work of 15 of the magazine's greatest…
- Plaster Caster (2003)
- Dir. Jessica Villines
- Groovy "cockumentary" tracing the colourful career of artist and super–groupie Cynthia Albritton, who became infamous for making commemorative…
- Private Life of a Masterpiece, The (TV Series) (2003)
- Expansive, all–encompassing art history as tackled by the BBC, canvassing masterpieces from the Renaissance era through to 20th Century works…
- Secrets of Middle-Earth: Inside Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (2003)
- Dir. Chris Gormlie
- An extensive documentary on J R R Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings', in which various experts comment on the story, its composition and themes, throwing…
- Sylvia (2003)
- Dir. Christine Jeffs
Feat. Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Blythe Danner…
- A simply formed, yet resonant portrait of the brilliant, doomed poet Sylvia Plath (Paltrow), recounting her years of marriage to (also poet) Ted…
- Tintin et Moi (Tintin and Me) (2003)
- Dir. Anders Ostergaard
- Fascinating and probably definitive look at the life and work of Hergé, the Belgian comicbook artist who from the 1930s onwards created the graphic…
- Andy Warhol - The Complete Picture (2002)
- Dir. Chris Rodley
- Commendable TV documentary on the multi–talented Warhol, provides updated information and fresh interviews from various associates.…
- Chihwaseon (Painted Fire) (2002)
- Dir. Kwon-taek Im
Feat. Min-sik Choi, Sung-kee Ahn
- A mainstay of Korean cinema, Im Kwon–taek helms this impassioned portrait of one of the country's most celebrated painters, Jang…
- Frida (2002)
- Dir. Julie Taymor
Feat. Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Ashley Judd…
- Long awaited biopic of the celebrated 20th–century Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, whose troubled marriage to Diego Riviera and crippling injuries…
- Goya: Crazy Like a Genius (2002)
- Renowned art critic Robert Hughes explores the world of Francisco Goya, charting his achievements as a court painter, satirist and war reporter, as…
- Hours, The (2002)
- Dir. Stephen Daldry
Feat. Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore…
- Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer–prize winning novel is brought to the screen with excellent performances, and though simplified and not for all…
- Living Room, The (TV Series) (2002-2006)
- Nicely quirky and unpretentious TV series about different (mostly young) local artists living in New Zealand and overseas. Each episode is presented…
- Mark Twain (2002)
- Dir. Ken Burns
- A popular humorist, philosopher and social satirist, Mark Twain was the well–known nom–de–plume of writer Samuel Clemens, the…
- Max (2002)
- Dir. Menno Meyjes
Feat. John Cusack, Noah Taylor, Leelee Sobieski
- Recommendable though flawed drama, concerns a fictional friendship in 1918 Munich between budding–artist Adolf Hitler and a Jewish…
- Possession (2002)
- Dir. Neil LaBute
Feat. Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam…
- Faithful, though simplified adaptation of A.S. Byatt’s Booker–winning novel where two academics slowly explore a 19th century literary…
- True Meaning of Pictures, The (Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia) (2002)
- Dir. Jennifer Baichwal
- A provocative look at the work of American photographer Shelby Lee Adams, whose images of impoverished Appalachian life have earned him a reputation…
- Architecture (TV Series) (2001-2005)
- Dir. Stan Neumann, Richard Copans, Frederic Compain
- Inspiring series devoted to the most ambitious creations of the 19th and 20th century. Featuring a wealth of archival material, scale–models…
- Chop Suey (2001)
- Dir. Bruce Weber
- Free–form homage to Bruce Weber's favourite things and an exploration of the lives of his subjects, including the beautiful 16 year old…
- Early Days Yet (2001)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- A quietly thoughtful and engaging look at the life and work of New Zealand poet Allen Curnow, filmed when Curnow was in his late–80s and still…
- Guinevere (2001)
- Dir. Audrey Wells
Feat. Sarah Polley, Stephen Rea
- Sarah Polley (GO) headlines in this Sundance–winning indie, as a directionless Harvard graduate who falls under the spell of…
- Hotere (2001)
- Dir. Merata Mita
- Noted documentary on New Zealand's reclusive artist Ralph Hotere, constructed in non–linear, impressionistic style. Seven years in the making,…
- Impressionists, The (2001)
- Dir. Bruce Alfred
- A two–part examination of the French Impressionist movement, in which painters like Monet, Degas and Renoir captured visual reality in a…
- Iris (2001)
- Dir. Richard Eyre
Feat. Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent
- Moving biopic of British novelist Iris Murdoch and her journey from literary genius to the mental wilderness of Alzheimers, that unquestionably rests…
- Life With Judy Garland: Me And My Shadows (2001)
- Dir. Robert Allan Ackerman
Feat. Judy Davis, Victor Garber, Hugh Laurie…
- The amazing, slightly tragic life of Hollywood star Judy Garland is retold with Judy Davis (eventually) in the title role, in a compelling telemovie…
- Pandaemonium (2001)
- Dir. Julien Temple
Feat. Samantha Morton, Linus Roache, John Hannah…
- The intense friendship between romantic poets Wordsworth (John Hannah) and Coleridge (Linus Roache) is the subject of this 18th century psychedelic…
- Pinero (2001)
- Dir. Leon Ichaso
Feat. Benjamin Bratt, Rita Moreno, Giancarlo Esposito…
- Biopic of the controversial Puerto Rican poet Miguel Pinero, whose play 'Short Eyes' and NYC junkie lifestyle propelled him to brief fame, before he…
- Caveman's Valentine, The (2000)
- Dir. Kasi Lemmons
Feat. Samuel L. Jackson, Ann Magnuson
- Dir. Lemmons follows up EVE’s BAYOU with an ambitious portrayal of classical–composer–turned–paranoid–schizophrenic Samuel…
- Dirty Pictures (2000)
- Dir. Frank Pierson
Feat. James Woods, Craig T. Nelson
- Based on the true–story of how the Chicago Arts Centre was prosecuted in 1990 for obscenity over an exhibition of Robert Mapplethorpe's…
- Farewell - Brecht's Last Summer, The (2000)
- Dir. Jan Schutte
Feat. Josef Bierbichler, Monika Bliebtreu, Elfriede Irrall
- Prior knowledge of the life of playwright Bertolt Brecht (played by Josef Bierbichler) will enhance this accomplished chamber–drama, set at an…
- Keep the River On Your Right (2000)
- Dir. David Shapiro, Laurie Shapiro
Feat. Tobias Schneebaum
- Pursues the bizarre experiences of one Tobias Schneebaum, a gay NYC artist, who in the 1950s sought to ‘find himself’ in the jungles of the…
- Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000)
- Dir. Kevin Brownlow
Feat. Lon Chaney
- A comprehensive overview of the life and career of "Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney, one of the greatest actors of the silent era. Narrated by…
- Naked States (2000)
- Dir. Arlene Donnelly
- American concept–artist Spencer Tunick’s particular concept is to persuade ordinary folk to disrobe and pose in public places, often in…
- Pollock (2000)
- Dir. Ed Harris
Feat. Ed Harris, Marcia Gay Harden, Amy Madigan…
- The life of ‘Abstract Expressionist’ painter Jackson Pollock, is rendered with bold, heartfelt strokes by dir. Harris in his debut effort (also…
- Wonder Boys (2000)
- Dir. Curtis Hanson
Feat. Michael Douglas, Robert Downey Jnr., Tobey Maguire…
- A rumpled Michael Douglas plays an academic professor and successful author who's terminally unfinished second novel is symptomatic of midlife…
- Brakhage (1999)
- Dir. Jim Shedden
- Conventional, though enlightening portrait of experimental film maverick Stan Brakhage, whose work consistently pushed the boundaries of the medium…
- Drawing Blood (1999)
- Dir. Sergio Lapel
- Semi–original horror from Troma (TOXIC AVENGER) about a gorgeous vampire with a penchant for sketching nude models and then drinking their…
- Frank Lloyd Wright (1999)
- Dir. Ken Burns
- Epic biography of America's most esteemed architect (notably of the Guggenheim Museum and the 'Prairie'–style ranch–house), whose…
- Getting to Our Place (1999)
- Dir. Gaylene Preston, Anna Cotrell
- The creation of NZ’s national museum, Te Papa, was an exciting, self–conscious and fraught journey in defining the nation’s identity, this…
- Nora (1999)
- Dir. Pat Murphy
Feat. Ewan McGregor, Susan Lynch
- Cliche–avoiding though at times awkward biopic of Nora Barnacle's marriage to writer James Joyce in the early 20th century. Based on the book…
- Original Schtick / Schtick Happens (1999-2002)
- Dir. Maciek Wszelaki
- A stranger–than–fiction documentary following American visual artist and egotistical maniac Robert (Bob) Fischer on a bizarre tour of…
- Paul Robeson: Here I Stand (1999)
- Dir. St. Clair Bourne
- Documentary exploring the life and career of Paul Robeson, the singer, actor and political activist whose distinctive bass baritone is heard on some…
- Pecker (1999)
- Dir. John Waters
Feat. Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Lili Taylor…
- Edward Furlong is niftily cast as Pecker, an innocent teen amateur photographer who unwittingly becomes the toast of the art world, thereby inviting…
- Source, The (1999)
- Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Dennis Hopper
- Superb chronicle of the ‘Beat’ movement and the work of its founding fathers – Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs – and their…
- Henry Fool (1998)
- Dir. Hal Hartley
Feat. Thomas Jay Ryan, Parker Posey, James Urbaniak…
- Hal Hartley gathers several unlikely narrative threads concerning a bottled–up trashman composing an epic poem while under the spell of…
- Illuminata (1998)
- Dir. John Turturro
Feat. Beverly D'Angelo, Susan Sarandon, Rufus Sewell…
- A backstage drama set in New York in the early 1900s, with Turturro as a playwright struggling to get his latest effort on stage. With a dozen…
- Marquise (1998)
- Dir. Vera Belmont
Feat. Sophie Marceau
- Bawdy, naturalistically–styled period romp about the artistic clashes between playwrights Moliere and Racine at the court of Louis XIV. Sophie…
- Mouth Wide Open (1998)
- Dir. Jonathan Dennis
- A portrait of pioneering NZ camera person and inventor Ted Coubray, who was one of the first people in Australasia to use a sound camera. Offers a…
- Parting Shots (1998)
- Dir. Michael Winner
Feat. Chris Rea, Bob Hoskins, Ben Kingsley…
- Once–fashionable photographer Chris Rea finds out he only has months to live, and decides to get his own back at those that have made his life…
- Peter Beard: Scrapbooks from Africa and Beyond (1998)
- Dir. Guillaume Bonn, Jean-Claude Luyat
Feat. Charlotte Rampling
- Expansive documentary presenting the life and career of one of the world's greatest adventure photographers and painters.
Covers the major…
- Turandot Project, The (1998)
- Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta
- The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
- Velvet Dreams (1998)
- Dir. Sima Urale
- Director Sima Urale presents this short documentary investigating the world of 'velvet paintings' by traversing the Pacific to talk to artists and…
- Artemisia (1997)
- Dir. Agnes Merlet
Feat. Valentina Cervi, Miki Manojlovic, Michel Serrault
- Study of the first significant female painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, the daughter of Caravaggio's one–time assistant in 17th Century…
- Limited Edition (1997)
- Dir. Bernard Rapp
Feat. Terence Stamp, Maria de Medeiros
- Smalltime publisher Terence Stamp delves into a literary mystery which relates to dark events in his own background. Maria de Medeiros (PULP…
- Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember (1997)
- Dir. Anna Maria Tato
- Documentary about iconic Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, providing a full–career portrait across an indulgent 3+ hours.
Based on…
- Surviving Picasso (1997)
- Dir. James Ivory
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Natascha McElhone, Julianne Moore…
- Anthony Hopkins acts his beret off in this portrait of the insatiable, cantankerous Spanish genius and the trail of emotional devastation he left…
- Basquiat (1996)
- Dir. Julian Schnabel
Feat. Jeffrey Wright, David Bowie, Gary Oldman…
- The director sends a post–mortem loveletter to his friend and contemporary, Jean–Michel Basquiat, a celebrated but fragile New York black…
- Beaumarchais (1996)
- Dir. Edouard Molinaro
Feat. Fabrice Luchini, Sandrine Kiberlain
- Wigs and quippery at the ready, this is 18th century French history conceived in vivacious strokes of social satire and perfumed with a savoury wit,…
- Hone Tuwhare (1996)
- Dir. Gaylene Preston
- The late poet laureate, Hone Tuwhare, is captured in this affectionate, candidly observed portrait of an artist. Filmed by Gaylene Preston in the…
- I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
- Dir. Mary Harron
Feat. Lili Taylor, Jared Harris, Martha Plimpton
- Both an absorbing time capsule of Warhol's 'factory' ultra–decadence and a gutsy portrait of extremism and delusion. Lili Taylor is a dynamo of…
- Lust and Revenge (1996)
- Dir. Paul Cox
Feat. Nicholas Hope, Claudia Karvan
- An unlikely creative partnership between the solemn, prolific Dutch–Aussie director Paul Cox (MAN OF FLOWERS, A WOMAN'S TALE) and John Clarke…
- Transformers (1996)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- A short documentary about a mid–1990s international art exhibition which showcased works that 'transform' in various ways (create music, grow,…
- Flip and Two Twisters (1995)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- Exploring NZ film–maker Len Lye's other outstanding talent, this documents the ongoing quest to build full–size versions of his…
- For Love or Money (1995)
- Dir. Shirley Horrocks
- An interesting documentary about the 1990s New Zealand art scene, in particular the rise in number of those collecting art, whether for pleasure or…
- Lumiere and Company (1995)
- Dir. Various
- Fitting homage to those pioneers of filmmaking, the Lumiere Brothers, made on Cinema’s Centennial celebrations in 1995. Forty directors were asked…
- Paris Was a Woman (1995)
- Dir. Greta Schiller
- Capturing a distinct ambience of early 20th century Paris, this feminist–orientated look at American–Parisians such as Gertrude Stein,…
- Total Eclipse (1995)
- Dir. Agnieszka Holland
Feat. Leonardo DiCaprio, David Thewlis
- Voraciously dueling bohemians of late 19th century Paris, Leonardo Di Caprio and David Thewlis impersonate Rimbaud and Verlaine – French poet…
- Unconditional Love (The Art of Passion) (1995)
- Dir. Arthur Bjorn Egeli
Feat. Pablo Bryant, Isabelle Dahlin, David Ellsworth…
- Art and love conflict in this semi–autobiographical portrait of a young painter whose work and respect suffers after a whirlwind affair with a…
- Unzipped (1995)
- Dir. Douglas Keeve
- A giddy slice of non–fiction, the camera gets intimate with the colourful world of fashion king Isaac Mizrahi, whose charm and humour survives…
- Crumb (1994)
- Dir. Terry Zwigoff
- Remarkable portrait of controversial cartoonist and non–conformist Robert Crumb. Documented over six years, his friend Terry Zwigoff manages to…
- Dennis Potter - The Last Interview (1994)
- Dir. Tom Poole
- The maverick writer's final interview (on the Southbank Show), made just weeks before his death, is a gripping and highly personal summing–up…
- Sirens (1994)
- Dir. John Duigan
Feat. Hugh Grant, Sam Neill, Elle MacPherson…
- Catholic minister Hugh Grant and wife are sent to rural Australia to dissuade renegade artist Sam Neill from painting 'pornography'. As an 'Elle…
- Tom and Viv (1994)
- Dir. Brian Gilbert
Feat. Willem Dafoe, Miranda Richardson
- A moving exploration of the intense yet painful relationship between Nobel prize–winning poet T.S. Eliot (Willem Dafoe) and his lovably…
- Annie Leibovitz (1993)
- Dir. Rebecca Frayn
- South Bank Show biography of American photo–journalist Annie Leibovitz, whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. Melvyn Bragg…
- Paris, France (1993)
- Dir. Georgio Ciccoretti
Feat. Leslie Hope, Peter Outerbridge
- While her husband descends into madness, a novelist attempts to cure her writer's block by engaging in kinky sex with a drifter. Preposterous 'art'…
- Pornographer, The (1993)
- Dir. Patrick S. Duncan
Feat. Nicholas Cascone, Melora Hardin
- An ambitious attempt to draw a co–relate the legitimate art world and the pornographic one – both, it asserts, as being founded on…
- Shadowlands (1993)
- Dir. Richard Attenborough
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Debra Winger
- Anthony Hopkins is terrific as academic and children's author C.S. Lewis, who discovers a well of unfathomable emotion when his American divorcee…
- Wild Swans (The Daughters of China) (1993)
- Dir. Mischa Scorer
- Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans recollects the experiences that inspired her award–winning book.
- Zelda (1993)
- Dir. Pat O'Connor
Feat. Natasha Richardson, Timothy Hutton
- A polished biography about the decadent, obsessive lives of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda.
- Daddy and the Muscle Academy (The Art, Life and Times of Tom of Finland) (1992)
- Dir. Ilppa Pohjola
- A fascinating delve into the mind of cult gay artist 'Tom of Finland', whose iconic hyper–masculine images of muscled, uniformed men and women,…
- Masterpieces of the Hermitage (TV Series) (1992)
- A breathtaking tour through the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersberg, home to some three million works of art. Begining with the 14th century…
- Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (TV Series) (1992)
- Strangely intriguing series hosted by Sister Wendy Beckett – an endearingly impish nun with a passion for paintings who takes her viewers on a…
- Cage/Cunningham (1991)
- Dir. Elliot Caplan
- A document of the extraordinary 50–year collaboration between avant–garde composer John Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham, who…
- Kafka (1991)
- Dir. Steven Soderbergh
Feat. Jeremy Irons, Ian Holm, Theresa Russell…
- This unsuspecting follow–up film for the director of the independent smash hit, SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE went largely unreleased, though it has…
- La Belle Noiseuse (1991)
- Dir. Jacques Rivette
Feat. Michel Piccoli, Emmanuelle Beart
- Rivette's four–hour portrait of an artist as an old man explores the process and politics of a retired artist painting a nude model. Subtle,…
- Liebestraum (1991)
- Dir. Mike Figgis
Feat. Kevin Anderson, Pamela Gidley, Kim Novak
- The dir.'s followup to INTERNAL AFFAIRS is an art–thriller about an architect drawn into a noir–ish puzzle of murder, fate and…
- Meeting Venus (1991)
- Dir. Istvan Szabo
Feat. Glenn Close, Niels Arestrup
- Glenn Close plays a Swedish diva (miming to our Dame Kiri) entangled in personal and political problems whilst leading in Wagner's Tannhauser.
- Not Mozart (M is for Man, Music and Mozart; Letter, Riddles and Writs) (1991)
- Dir. Peter Greenaway, Pat Gavin, Jeremy Newson
- Two experimental television dramas commissioned to celebrate the Mozart Bicentennial.
- Pleasures and Dangers (1991)
- A glance at the work and lives of six women artists in New Zealand; Alexis Hunter (painter), Alison MacLean (film–maker), Julia Morison…
- Quince Tree Sun, The (1991)
- Dir. Victor Erice
Feat. Antonio Garcia
- Quietly–paced, fascinating semi–documentary about Spanish painter Antonio Garcia and his attempts to capture the effects of light falling…
- Superstar - The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1991)
- Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Andy Warhol, Dennis Hopper
- Told through the words of friends and admirers like Dennis Hopper, David Hockney, Tom Wolfe and Sylvia Miles, the life behind the enigmatic visage of…
- Van Gogh (1991)
- Dir. Maurice Pialat
Feat. Jacques Dutronc
- The ultra–naturalistic style of Maurice Pialat may not seem the best choice for a costume drama about probably the most–often filmed…
- An Angel at My Table (1990)
- Dir. Jane Campion
Feat. Kerry Fox
- Multi–award winning adaptation of Janet Frame's three autobiographies, deserving of its big reputation through compassionate storytelling and…
- Henry and June (1990)
- Dir. Philip Kaufman
Feat. Maria de Medeiros, Fred Ward, Uma Thurman
- From the diaries of French author Anais Nin, her steamy and stormy adventures with American writer Henry Miller and his wife are lensed to perfection.
- Vincent and Theo (1990)
- Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Tim Roth
- This biopic charts the relationship between the tortured artist and his patron brother, with sympathetic direction and Tim Roth's performance as…
- A TV Dante (The Inferno Cantos I - VIII) (1989)
- Dir. Peter Greenaway
Feat. John Gielgud, Bob Peck, Joanne Whalley
- Striking recitation by Gielgud and company of the first eight cantos. Greenaway superimposes some truly potent images over a series of talking heads.…
- Camille Claudel (1988)
- Dir. Bruno Nuytten
Feat. Isabelle Adjani, Gerard Depardieu, Alain Cuny
- Intense, robust biopic of the French artist and lover of fellow sculptor, Auguste Rodin. Their tumultuous affair is passionately incarnated by…
- Colin McCahon - Victory Over Death (1988)
- Dir. Judy Rymer
- An award–winning documentary on New Zealand's most controversial and profound contemporary artist, and the social environment that influenced…
- La Lectrice (1988)
- Dir. Michel Deville
Feat. Miou-Miou, Christian Ruche, Maria Casares
- Miou–Miou plays a hired 'reader' who leads us through a series of exchanges with various disabled personalities. A sensual treat for those…
- Moderns, The (1988)
- Dir. Alan Rudolph
Feat. Keith Carradine, Linda Fiorentino, John Lone…
- A witty and exquisite recreation of Paris in the 1920s, complete with the ‘lost generation’ of Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and F Scott…
- Rowing with the Wind (1988)
- Dir. Gonzalo Suárez
Feat. Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley, Lizzy McInnerny…
- Earnest dramatisation of Mary Shelley's relationship with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley while in the midst of conceiving her famed novel…
- Ebony Tower, The (1987)
- Dir. Robert Knights
Feat. Laurence Olivier, Roger Rees, Greta Scacchi…
- Self–conscious but watchable satire has a young art critic finding himself attracted to the unusual lifestyle of a reclusive painter. Based on…
- Len Lye - Doodlings (1987)
- Dir. Keith Griffiths
- A refreshing paean to New Zealand's best known avant–garde filmmaker (who is equally famous for his kinetic sculptures). Features clips from…
- Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (1987)
- Dir. Paul Cox
- Engrossing and expressive documentary of the famous artist, using his own written letters and paintings as clues to his tortured personality. John…
- Wolf at the Door, The (1987)
- Dir. Henning Carlsen
Feat. Donald Sutherland, Max von Sydow
- Thoughtful biopic of painter Paul Gauguin’s middle–years, with Donald Sutherland contending with the philistines of Paris upon his return…
- Caravaggio (1986)
- Dir. Derek Jarman
Feat. Noam Almaz, Dawn Archibald, Sean Bean
- A stylised, impressionistic biopic of the controversial bisexual artist from the Italian renaissance. The film is similarly cryptic, bold and…
- Picasso: Man and His Work (1986)
- Dir. Edward Quinn
- A two cassette anthology of perhaps the greatest painter of all time. This unique film reveals many unknown aspects of his work and personality, and…
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986)
- Dir. Terry Hughes
Feat. Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Barbara Bryne
- Movie adaptation of the musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, about a painter who immerses himself in creating a masterpiece. Inspired by…
- Louie Bluie (1985)
- Dir. Terry Zwigoff
- The feature debut of director Terry Zwigoff (CRUMB) explores the life and music of William Howard Taft Armstrong, (known as Louie Bluie), a blues…
- Mishima - A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
- Dir. Paul Schrader
Feat. Ken Ogata
- Fascinating study of the controversial Japanese author/militarist whose desire to merge life and art led to his ritualistic suicide. A luminous…
- Antonio Gaudi (1984)
- Dir. Hiroshi Teshigahara
- The aesthetic worlds of architect Antonio Gaudi and Japanese visualist Teshigahara (WOMAN OF THE DUNES) collide with spectacular results in this…
- Grasp Of Wind, A (1984)
- Dir. Robert Franken, Russell Campbell
Feat. Neal Gunn
- Dutch born New Zealand visual artist Robert Franken's one–and–only directorial effort is a quietly surreal, wordless fable in which a…
- Mistral's Daughter (Mini-series) (1984)
- Feat. Stefanie Powers, Robert Urich, Lee Remick…
- Blubbery, melodramatic saga of three generations of women by way of artist Julien Mistral. Based on a novel by Judith Krantz.
- Sunday in the Country, A (1984)
- Dir. Bertrand Tavernier
Feat. Louis Ducreux, Sabine Azema, Michel Aumont…
- An elderly painter invites his family to his country villa; in a single day their happinesses and sorrows come to be expressed. Subtle, intelligent…
- Draughtsman's Contract, The (1982)
- Dir. Peter Greenaway
Feat. Anthony Higgins, Janet Suzman
- A 17th Century painter is commissioned to draw the estate of a rich mistress, who in return endows him with certain liberties. A bizarre and…
- Passion (1982)
- Dir. Jean-Luc Godard
Feat. Isabelle Huppert, Hanna Schygulla, Michel Piccoli
- 'Film within a film' from France's thorniest director, sowing narrative confusion in his story of director Michel Piccoli trying to make a arthouse…
- Peter Greenaway Collection (1982-1985)
- Dir. Peter Greenaway
- Feature box–set of visionary dir. Greenaway's early work, including his first feature 'The Draughtsman's Contract', his 1985 murder mystery 'A…
- Islands in the Stream (1977)
- Dir. Franklin J. Schaffner
Feat. George C. Scott, David Hemmings, Gilbert Roland…
- Solid, well–constructed adaptation of one of the more thoughtful Hemingway novels, with Scott as the sculptor who chooses to live in exile on a…
- Tribal Eye, The (TV Series) (1975)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- New release of Sir David Attenborough's classic 1975 series exploring aspects of tribal art from indigenous communities all over the world –…
- 5 Films About Christo and Jeanne-Claude (Christo's Valley Curtain, Running Fence, Islands, Christo in Paris, Umbrellas) (1974-1995)
- Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles
- The complete set of filmic documentations by the Maysles brothers (and various other directors) on the French concept–sculptors Christo and his…
- Bigger Splash, A (1974)
- Dir. Jack Hazan
- A whimsical, unconventional doco, interweaving the somewhat vacuous daily life of English painter David Hockney and his retinue, with the formal…
- Edvard Munch (1974)
- Dir. Peter Watkins
- Norwegian painter Munch's life and artistic genius is portrayed here in an original and hypnotic synthesis of documentary and drama, by acclaimed…
- Andy Warhol and His Work (1973)
- Dir. Lana Jokel
- Enigmatic pop artist Warhol's life and art is chronicled through a mixture of film footage and interviews.
- Painters Painting (1973)
- Dir. Emile de Antonio
- Both a beginner's and connoisseur's guide to "Abstract Expressionism", this excellent 70's documentary provides satiating first hand insights from…
- Ciao! Manhattan (Edie) (1972)
- Dir. Sam Green, David Weisman
Feat. Roger Vadim, Isabel Jewell, Viva
- The notorious documentary portrait of Andy Warhol 'superstar' Edie Sedgwick, whose beguiling good looks and dissolute lifestyle came to symbolise the…
- We Won't Grow Old Together (Nous Ne Vieillirons Pas Ensemble) (1972)
- Dir. Maurice Pialat
Feat. Marlène Jobert, Jean Yanne, Christine Fabréga…
- A uniquely disquieting film covering the dissolution of an affair between an aged filmmaker and a much younger secretary, based on French director…
- Civilisation (TV Series) (1969)
- "Not a history of the arts, but a history of life–giving beliefs and ideas made visible and audible through the medium of art." Kenneth Clark's…
- Hour Of The Wolf (Vargtimmen) (1968)
- Dir. Ingmar Bergman
Feat. Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann
- One of dir. Bergman's most troubled visions, this concerns the descent of an unstable artist (von Sydow) and his sensitive wife (Ullmann) into a…
- Trip, The (1967)
- Dir. Roger Corman
Feat. Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Susan Strasberg…
- One of several collaborations between director Roger Corman and Jack Nicholson, who wrote the screenplay. A director of TV commercials gradually…
- Andrei Rublev (1966)
- Dir. Andrei Tarkovsky
Feat. Anatoli Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolai Grinko
- Enthralling historical drama vividly portrays the 15th Century Russian painter who was encumbered by the political turbulence of the time.
- Agony and the Ecstasy, The (1965)
- Dir. Carol Reed
Feat. Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Diane Cilento
- Hollywood portrait of Michelangelo's struggle to paint the Sistine Chapel under the patronage of belligerent Pope Julius II. Rex Harrison fares…
- Empty Canvas, The (La Noia) (1963)
- Dir. Damiano Damiani
Feat. Bette Davis, Horst Buchholz, Catherine Spaak
- Unsuccessful painter Buccholz falls for a young model who spurns his love and drives him to both ruin and his overbearing mother. Based on the novel…
- Ken Russell at the BBC (Elgar; Debussy; Always on Sunday; Isadora; Dante's Inferno; Song of Summer) (1962-1968)
- Dir. Ken Russell
Feat. Oliver Reed, Vladek Sheybal, Vernon Dobtcheff…
- The engrossing early works of the controversial director comprises six of his famed artist portraits
- Testament of Orpheus (Testament D'orphee) (1960)
- Dir. Jean Cocteau
Feat. Jean Cocteau, Yul Brynner, Jean-Pierre Leaud…
- Cocteau's swansong is an intensely personal odyssey, with the director himself immersed in a world of his cumulative creation. Like a moving…
- Horse's Mouth, The (1958)
- Dir. Ronald Neame
Feat. Alec Guinness, Kay Walsh, Renee Houston
- This impressively subtle portrait of a tortured artist stars Alec Guinness as a deteriorating painter whose pursuit of creative perfection has him on…
- James Dean Story (1957)
- Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Martin Gabel
- Martin Gabel narrates this portrait of James Dean created shortly after his death, which assembles the material available at this time, including…
- Mystery of Picasso, The (1956)
- Dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Famed director Henri–Georges Clouzot gains exclusive entry into Pablo Picasso's inner creative sanctum, observing the master painter at work on…
- Lust for Life (1955)
- Dir. Vincente Minnelli
Feat. Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn
- Kirk Douglas makes a stirring, enthusiastic Van Gogh in this biopic, choosing to echo the empassioned melancholia of his work rather than drawing…
- Houdini (1953)
- Dir. George Marshall
Feat. Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Torin Thatcher
- Drama exploring the life of magician and illusionist Harry Houdini, with then husband–and–wife Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh playing…
- Films of Charles & Ray Eames, The (1952-1982)
- A collection of the cinematic work of Charles and Ray Eames, the 20th century industrial designers and married couple, who channelled their separate…
- Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
- Dir. Charles Vidor
Feat. Danny Kaye, Farley Granger
- A fabricated musical 'biopic' of the famed 19th century Danish fairytale writer, sees him (played by Danny Kaye) smile through a succession of…
- Moulin Rouge (1952)
- Dir. John Huston
Feat. Jose Ferrer, Colette Marchand, Suzanne Flon…
- Opulently staged fictional biopic of Toulouse–Lautrec, highlighted by a dazzling can–can sequence. The pint–sized French painter is…
- Rembrandt (1936)
- Dir. Alexander Korda
Feat. Charles Laughton
- Vignettes from the life of the great 17th century painter whose popularity sharply regressed after he painted 'The Nightwatchmen'. Charles Laughton…
- Blood of a Poet (1930)
- Dir. Jean Cocteau
Feat. Lee Miller, Pauline Carton
- Cocteau's first film is a surrealist gem that sewed the seeds of his style. The Dali/Bunuel influence is clear, but this goes one step further with…
- Michael (Mikael) (1924)
- Dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer
Feat. Nora Gregor, Walter Slezak, Benjamin Christensen
- A landmark in gay silent cinema from Carl Theodor Dreyer, starring Walter Slezak as the young assistant and model to the artist Claude Zoret…
- Keri Hulme
- An encounter with the acclaimed writer by Gaylene Preston plus an except from Hulme's short story 'Hooks and Feelers'. From the Education and…
- Len Lye - Vol 1. Free Radicals
- Dir. Len Lye
- Varied compilation of eight of Lye's highly original short films, ranging from the 1920s cell–animation Tusalava, the rhythmic psychedelia of…