Movies and TvShows featuring "portrait-of-an-artist" theme.

Famed Canadian-American leftist documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife was one of sixty thousand draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam. Now in his late seventies, Fife is dying of cancer in Montreal and has agreed to a final interview in which he is determined to bare all his secrets at last, to demythologize his mythologized life.

TINA (2021) is a biographical documentary that chronicles the tumultuous life and extraordinary career of the iconic singer, Tina Turner. From her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her rise to stardom as one of the greatest rock performers of all time, the film reveals the triumphs and hardships she faced, including her abusive relationship with ex-husband Ike Turner. Through interviews, archival footage, and intimate performances, TINA takes viewers on an emotional journey through the life of a true music legend.

His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.

Becoming Jane is a biographical drama that focuses on the early life of renowned author Jane Austen. The movie explores her experiences with love, family, and societal expectations in 18th century England. It delves into her relationships, particularly her friendship with an older lawyer and her blossoming romance with a charming young Irishman. As Jane struggles with the pressures of conforming to societal norms and the expectations of her family, she navigates the complexities of love, independence, and finding her voice as a writer.

Before Avicii, there was Tim. Through his own words, witness how a prodigious musical talent became one of the defining artists of his generation.

On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship, and the pressure to create something great before time runs out. In 1992, Jonathan Larson performs his rock monologue Tick, Tick... Boom! in front of an audience at New York Theatre Workshop, accompanied by friends Roger and Karessa Johnson. He describes an incessant ticking noise he hears in his head, and begins telling about the week leading up to his 30th birthday and his desire to become a successful musical theater composer. Jonathan juggles work at the Moondance Diner in SoHo with preparing for a workshop at Playwrights Horizons of his musical Superbia. He has a party at home with friends, including his former roommate Michael, who left acting for advertising, his girlfriend Susan, a dancer-turned-teacher, and fellow waiters Freddy and Carolyn. While alone later, Susan tells Jonathan about a teaching job at Jacob's Pillow and asks him to come too. Jonathan visits Michael at his new Upper East Side apartment, celebrating his financial success and higher quality of life from their old apartment. Ira Weitzman, the Musical Theatre Program Director at Playwrights Horizons, asks Jonathan to write a new song for Superbia, as the story needs it. This troubles him, as his idol, Stephen Sondheim, told him the same at the ASCAP Workshop some years ago, but he can't come up with anything and he only has a week. Jonathan tries to get his agent, Rosa Stevens, to invite Sondheim to the workshop, but eventually just cold-calls Sondheim and others. He watches PBS's Sunday in the Park with George with Michael and Susan, and afterwards Michael asks him to join an advertising focus group to earn extra money. Susan also pressures him again to move with her, although he feels his career is just starting in New York. The next day he imagines the Diner full with Broadway stars. Carolyn tells him Freddy, who is HIV-positive, has been hospitalized, adding to Jonathan's anxieties as many of his friends have already died in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He walks down Broadway to Playwrights Horizons for the start of rehearsals for Superbia. Susan, frustrated by Jonathan's indecisiveness, breaks up with him. To get money to hire a full band for the workshop, Jonathan attends the advertising focus group. Making a good first impression, he considers a corporate future, but realizes he would hate it and deliberately sabotages it. Michael criticizes him for being in a financially unstable theater career, while Jonathan claims with his impending 30th birthday that he is getting too old to be successful. After finally getting an encouraging call from Rosa about his industry invites, he plans to write the new song the night before the workshop, but his power gets cut off before starting. Heading to a swimming pool to cool off, he pictures sheet music lines on the pool floor and finally comes up with the new song, which he writes out by hand. At the workshop are friends, family, and industry professionals, including Sondheim. Karessa brings down the house with the new song, 'Come to Your Senses,' and Jonathan imagines Susan singing it. He receives praise but no offers to produce Superbia. Rosa tells him he must keep writing, hoping that something will succeed, but he will likely face more rejection. Discouraged, Jonathan runs to Michael begging for a corporate job and perceived stability, but Michael changes his mind after seeing the workshop, encouraging Jonathan to continue in musical theater. When Jonathan accuses him of not understanding what it's like to be running out of time, Michael reveals he is HIV-positive. Finally grasping his career obsession has cost him his relationship with Susan and jeopardized his friendship with Michael, Jonathan wanders through New York before finding himself at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Hopping a fence to a piano, he reflects on his friendship with Michael and the sacrifices he must make, affirming he will continue his musical theater career. He and Michael reconcile. On the morning of Jonathan's 30th birthday Sondheim calls, congratulating him on the workshop and wanting to talk more about Superbia, lifting his spirits. Holding his birthday party at the Moondance Diner, attended by his friends, he is relieved to hear Freddy is to be discharged from the hospital. Susan gifts him blank sheet music paper to help in his career, promising to see 'the next one.' She narrates that the 'next one' was Tick, Tick... Boom!, before he returned to working on a previous project, which became Rent. She reveals he died of an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm the night before Rent's premiere Off-Broadway. He never experienced the success he desired, but his work lives on. In 1992, Jonathan performs the final song from Tick, Tick... Boom!, watching his friends and family in the audience, including Susan in the back.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a documentary that delves into the life and career of the legendary filmmaker and magician. It explores his early years as a prodigy painter and theater actor, his rise to fame in the movie business, and his impact on cinema history. The film also examines his personal life, including his estrangement from his half-sister and his controversial relationships. With interviews, archival footage, and insightful analysis, this documentary paints a portrait of an artist who defied conventions and left a lasting legacy.

Sir Elton John looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in this emotionally charged, full-circle journey. As he prepares for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium, Elton takes us back in time and recounts his struggles with adversity, abuse, and addiction, and how he overcame them to become the icon he is today.

A documentary about the life of Ingrid Bergman, a Hollywood actress who rose to fame in the 1930s. The film explores her personal and professional journey, including her marriages, friendships, and the challenges she faced as a Swedish actress in Hollywood. It also delves into her impact on cinema history and her legacy as a talented and iconic artist.

In the late 1990s, iconic photographer Bruce Weber barely managed to convince legendary actor Robert Mitchum (1917-97) to let himself be filmed simply hanging out with friends, telling anecdotes from his life and recording jazz standards.

The story of Enrique Herreros (1903-1977), cartoonist, advertiser, poster designer, talent manager, actor, producer and filmmaker, and the most daring of mountaineers; the man who, along with his companions from the so-called “other Generation of '27,” brought Hollywood to Madrid's Gran Vía, turning a grey and sinister post-war city into the capital of an incipient and ambitious cultural industry.

Mirror is a surrealistic autobiographical film that follows the life of a poet in Russia. The film explores themes of childhood, memories, illness, and the historical events of the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Through dream-like sequences and stunning imagery, Mirror delves into the poet's thoughts and emotions, creating a unique and introspective cinematic experience.

Writer/director W. Kamau Bell's exploration of Bill Cosby's descent from 'America's Dad' to convicted sexual predator. Comedians, journalists and survivors have a candid, first of its kind conversation about the man, his career and crimes.

Explore the life and career of the beloved comedian and Hollywood icon Robin Williams, from his early days in stand-up comedy to his rise to fame on television and in films. Through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, this documentary offers a glimpse into the mind of a comedic genius, tracing the highs and lows of his personal and professional life.

A love story that took 50 years to tell, "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story" explores the 18-month romantic relationship between John Lennon and his Chinese-American assistant May Pang.

A Word After a Word After a Word Is Power is a documentary that delves into the life and work of Margaret Atwood, one of the most influential writers of our time. Through interviews, archival footage, and insights from Atwood herself, the film explores the themes that have shaped her writing, including feminism, totalitarianism, and ecology. From her childhood in Ottawa, Canada, to her rise to literary fame, the documentary offers a portrait of an artist who has used her words to challenge and provoke. It also touches on Atwood's personal life, including her battle with dementia and her love for ornithology.

A portrait of celebrated filmmaker David Chase: his life, his career and his groundbreaking work on the HBO original series The Sopranos.

The gripping story of legendary American actor John Travolta: his rise to stardom in the 1970s; his agonizing fall in disgrace in the 1980s; and his stunning artistic rebirth in the 1990s.

Explore the life and art of Karel Zeman, a Czech filmmaker known for his innovative use of practical special effects in movies like The Fabulous World of Jules Verne.