SXU Film Series 2012-2013

Hollywood Paints
Famous Actors as Famous Painters

7:00 p.m.
McGuire Hall
Free Admission

The Agony and the Ecstacy (1965)

Charlton Heston as Michelangelo
Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Directed by Carol Reed, "The Agony and the Ecstasy" tells the story of Michelangelo's (Charlton Heston) troubles while painting the Sistine Chapel at the urging of Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison). It was partly based on Irving Stone' biographical novel of the same name, and features a soundtrack co-written by prolific composers Alex North and Jerry Goldsmith.

Lust for Life (1956)

Kirk Douglas as Vincent van Gogh
Monday, November 12, 2012

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, "Lust for Life" is fictionalized biography of Vincent Van Gogh based on a popular novel by Irving Stone. The film centers on Van Gogh's (Kirk Douglas) stormy friendship with fellow artist Gauguin (Anthony Quinn). Minnelli's direction in filming on the actual Dutch and French locations where Van Gogh's mastery flourished as well as the use of an outmoded color film process which included innovative camera techniques to vividly recreate Van Gogh's paintings, provides its viewer with an understanding of the fine line in between the artist's lust for life and the lust that fed his madness.

Surviving Picasso (2006)

Anthony Hopkins as Pablo Picasso
Monday, December 3, 2012

Directed by James Ivory, "Surviving Picasso" is a drama that tells the story of Francoise Gilot(Natascha McElhone), the only lover of Pablo Picasso (Anthony Hopkins). The drama unfolds from her viewpoint of being Picasso's longtime mistress and mother of his children Claude and Paloma. Anthony Hopkins gives a full-throttle performance as the acclaimed artist who is the master of all canvas, color, metal, ceramics, and romance. The film draws from a vivid filmmaking palette to create an intimate, insightful tale of genius, beauty and obsession, in following Francoise Gilot(Natascha McElhone) on her journey in moving on with her life after withstanding Picasso's ferocious cruelty.

Frida (2002)

Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo
Monday, February 4, 2013

Directed by Julie Taymor, "Frida" explores the biography of the artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina) into her work. Taymor pulls out a wealth of gorgeous visuals to capture everything from the horrific bus accident that damaged Kahlo's spine to her and Rivera's trip to New York City, where Rivera's political leanings ruptured a commission from the Rockefeller family.

Pollock (2000)

Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock
Monday, March 4, 2013

Directed by and starring in "Pollock", Ed Harris paints an intriguing portrait of the groundbreaking artist, profiling Jackson Pollock's life, career and tragic death. In many respects the film proves to be a traditional biopic. Ed Harris' vision honors the artist's achievement in abstract expressionism while acknowledging that Pollock was a tormented, manic-depressive alcoholic. There's no doubt that Harris captured the essence of a man whose life was as torturous as his art was redeeming with this compassionate but unflinching exploration of Jackson Pollock's intimate world.

Basquiat (1996)

David Bowie as Andy Warhol
Jeffrey Wright as Jean Michel Basquiat
Monday, April 1, 2013

Directed by Julian Schnabel, "Basquiat" tells the story of the meteoric rise of youthful artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright). The film depicts Basquiat's journey from squalor as an antisocial street bum writing graffiti on alley walls before becoming a star as part of Andy Warhol's (David Bowie) eccentric art scene. Soon, the talented tagger became a widely praised figure in the New York City art world. However, success has a high price, and Basquiat pays with friendship, love, and eventually, his life.

For More Information

For more information about the "Hollywood Paints" film series, please contact 773-298-3081.