October 6, 8 & 9 @ Wadsworth Aetna Theater — Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

In 1989, on the floor of Congress, Senator Jesse Helms implored America to “Look at the pictures,” while denouncing the controversial art of Robert Mapplethorpe, whose photographs pushed social boundaries with their frank depictions of nudity, sexuality and fetishism — and ignited a culture war that rages to this day.

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures does just that, taking an unflinching, unprecedented look at Robert Mapplethorpe’s most provocative work. From acclaimed filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (Inside Deep Throat; HBO’s Wishful Drinking and The Eyes of Tammy Faye), and produced by Katharina Otto-Bernstein (Absolute Wilson), it is the first feature-length documentary about the artist since his death, and the most comprehensive film on Mapplethorpe ever.

With complete and unprecedented access to The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, the documentary draws upon archival materials and features never-before-seen photographs and footage. “Even his most shocking and forbidden images are included without blurs, without snickers — in other words, exactly as the artist intended,” say Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Mapplethorpe himself is a strong presence, telling his story in his own words with complete honesty and often shocking candor through rediscovered audio interviews.

Watch trailer here.

 

This film is screening at the Wadsworth Atheneum – Aetna Theater. Click here for directions.

Screening times:

Thursday, October 6 at 7 pm

Saturday, October 8 at 2 pm

Sunday, October 9 at 2 pm

 

[Film description courtesy of HBO.]