- Midnight in Paris This recent Woody Allen flick follows the fantastical journey of an aspiring 21st century novelist back in time to Paris in the 1920s. He meets famous writers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald and artists like Dali and Picasso among other celebrities, all while surrounded by the backdrop of the City of Light. This movie is uplifting, whimsical and fun to watch, while also promoting a good message.
- Frida I have been a fan of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s works since I was assigned a project on her in the tenth grade. She had a volatile and tumultuous life and in my opinion her paintings truly express pure, raw emotion like no other artist. This biopic was beautifully filmed and incorporates her works into life and film seamlessly.
- In the Realms of the Unreal This film is a fascinating look at the life of Henry Darger, the janitor by day and visionary self-taught creator by night. The man is an enigma to say the least, having kept his art and writing secret and hidden away until his death. His work is strange, vast and utterly mesmerizing, and makes you wonder if perhaps someone among you is hiding such an amazing talent.
- Exit Through the Gift Shop A great film to watch if you want to learn a little more about the ever growing medium of street art, this movie is a hilarious and thought provoking look at the creation of art in the contemporary period. The eccentric world of the filmmaker and some of the best known street artists will have you creating your own trademark characters in no time (though hopefully not on public property).
- The Secret of Kells If you have been keeping up with our twitter, you might have seen me mention this movie as one of my all-time favourites last week. For lovers of animated movies or those looking for family friendly tales, this is definitely right up your alley. It is a visual feast in a style I have rarely seen before, loosely following the creation of the famous Book of Kells, an ornately crafted Gospel book produced in the first century of the current era.
Do you have any films you’d like to suggest? Let me know, I’m sure there is something I could avoid working on right now! Stay inspired and keep creating,
-al