Image via Complex Original
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The Oscars broadcast tomorrow evening. Several films nominated have art themes. And, a few great art related movies have been snubbed nomination.
While we leave it to the Academy to select the best movies, we know which ones are just plain entertaining. For example, our list of great flicks about art skips over girl's with pearl earrings (though we love Scarlett Johansson) and cartoonists having One Crazy Summer (because we are over John Cusack). Instead, we privilege the biopics that have made us laugh and the documentaries that have changed our thought process.
Check out 15 Awesome Movies About Art.
Written by Alexandra Morency (@am0rency)
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Bill Cunningham New York
Year Released: 2011
The Basics: This well received documentary film follows photographer Bill Cunningham who has spent his career chronicling fashion trends and high-society charity soirees for the Times's Style section.
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Crumb
Year Released: 1994
The Basics: This documentary tells the story of controversial comic book writer/artist Robert Crumb. Crumb drew Keep On Truckin’, Fritz the Cat and played a huge role in the creation of underground comix. The documentary features interviews as well as various selections from his graphic artwork. Despite critical reviews, the Academy snubbed the film in the Best Documentary category.
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American Splendor
Year Released: 2003
The Basics: Paul Giamatti stars in this biopic about Cleveland-bred comic book artist Harvey Pekar. A file clerk at a local hospital, Pekar's unique world view finds form as American Splendor, a series of comic books inspired on by friend Robert Crumb's success.
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Pollock
Year Released: 2000
The Basics: American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock struggles with alcohol and infidelity in this Academy Award winning film. Ed Harris not only directed the film, but played the role of Pollock as well.
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Downtown 81
Year Released: 1981
The Basics: Jean-Michel Basquiat plays himself —a young artist struggling to survive in the post punk era of New York City. The film captures the rise of new wave music, hip-hop, and graffiti as viewers witness the rise and fall of one of the most interesting artists of the 20th-century.
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Art School Confidential
Year Released: 2006
The Basics: This comedy-drama written and directed by Terry Zwigoff follows the protagonist as he pursues his life long dream of attending art school. However, he learns the art world isn’t all it’s hyped up to be and he finds himself compromising his vision.
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Carrington
Year Released: 1995
The Basics: The film follows the deep and complex relationship between painter Dora Carrington (Emma Thompson) and author Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce) in World War I England.
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Frida
Year Released: 2002
The Basics: Staring the lovely Selma Hayek, Frida follows the public and private life of surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Hayek’s portrayal of Frida was nominated for an Academy award and the film took home statues for Best Makeup and Best Original Music Score.
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Exit Through The Gift Shop
Year Released: 2010
The Basics: Directed by the well-known street artist Banksy, the film chronicles the rise of French artist Thierry Guetta who becomes a street artist in Los Angeles. The film also features other graffiti artists such as Shephard Fairey, Invader, as well as Bansky himself. However, there has been debate over whether or not this documentary is really a mockumentary… Watch and decide for yourself!
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Midnight In Paris
Year Released: 2011
The Basics: Rachel McAdams and Owen Wilson star in Woody Allen’s latest feat. While in Paris, the engaged duo begin to realize their differing views on life as Wilson finds company and comfort with old and familiar literary friends and artists. Midnight in Paris is nominated for Best Picture at this years Oscars.
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Milton Glaser: To Delight and Inform
Year Released: 2008
The Basics: The Basics: This documentary highlights one of America’s most iconic graphic designers Milton Glaser. Glaser famously designed the “I <3 NY” logo and has founded Push Pin Studios and New York magazine.
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An Unmarried Woman
Year Released: 1978
The Basics: In this American comedy drama, a stockbroker leaves his wife for a younger woman. His ex wife, Erica Benton, is angered and saddened until she finds love again with a British abstract expressionist painter.
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Factory Girl
Year Released: 2006
The Basics: This indie favorite takes place in Andy Warhol’s Factory but focuses on the rise and fall of model and Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick (Sienna Miller) as she faces a world filled with music, love, art, and sex.
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The Agony And The Ecstasy
Year Released: 1965
The Basics: Based on Irving Stone’s biographical novel, Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison portray Michelangelo and Pope Julius II in this big-screen treatment of the painting of the Sistine Chapel.
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Lust For Life
Year Released: 1965
The Basics: Lust for Life follows the life of tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh with Kirk Douglas playing the Dutch painter. Directed by Vincente Minelli and Douglas’ co-star, Anthony Quinn, won an Oscar for his performance as Van Gogh’s friend and rival Paul Gaugin.
