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.

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.

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.

The life of a Norwegian icon, a world-renowned artist and a dedicated humanitarian: actress Liv Ullmann.

This documentary delves into the life of artist Nan Goldin, highlighting her work and the profound impact of the Sackler family. It sheds light on the role of the pharmaceutical dynasty in the catastrophic death toll of the opioid epidemic.

Man of a Thousand Faces is a biographical drama film that tells the story of a deaf-mute vaudeville actor who gains fame for his remarkable makeup and portrayal of historical figures. Set in the 1920s, the film explores his personal life, including his relationship with his wife, his struggles with pregnancy, and his interactions with his children. As he rises to the top of the movie business, he faces challenges and abuse due to his disability. The film showcases his talent and perseverance in overcoming obstacles to become a respected artist in Hollywood's silent cinema era.

British writer Agatha Christie (1890-1976) published her first novel in 1920, in which the eccentric Belgian private sleuth Hercule Poirot made his debut. Later, in 1927, the first short story starring the gentle spinster Miss Jane Marple appeared. A fascinating journey through popular culture in search of the footprints of two of the most charismatic characters in crime and mystery literature.

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

The Happy Prince (2018) tells the tragic story of Oscar Wilde, a renowned writer and artist who faces social prejudices and personal struggles, including the death of his wife. Set in Victorian England and 19th-century Paris and Naples, the film portrays Wilde's life, his portrayal of an artist, and his gay theme and relationships. It captures his downfall, exile, and death, illustrating the irony of his fairy-tale-like rise and subsequent tragic fall.

Audrey (2020) is a biographical documentary that explores the life and career of the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn. The film delves into her early years in the Netherlands, her rise to stardom in Hollywood, her humanitarian work with UNICEF, and her lasting impact on fashion and cinema. Through interviews, archival footage, and reenactments, audiences get a comprehensive portrait of this beloved artist.

Final Portrait is a biographical comedy-drama film that tells the story of sculptor Alberto Giacometti inviting American writer James Lord to sit for a portrait. The film is set in 1964 and explores the struggles of an artist and their relationship with the subject of their artwork.

While at War is a historical drama set in Salamanca, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The film follows a college professor who is faced with moral dilemmas as he navigates the political repression and military uprising under the Franco regime. Based on a true story, the film explores themes of dictatorship, rebellion, and political repression.

Madonna: Truth or Dare is a documentary film that follows the life of pop star Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. The film captures both the backstage drama and the intimate moments of Madonna's life, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the superstar. Through interviews, rehearsals, and performances, the film explores Madonna's ambition, sexuality, and artistic vision.

Finding Vivian Maier is a documentary film that tells the story of Vivian Maier, a nanny and secret street photographer whose work remains undiscovered until after her death. The film explores the life and work of this enigmatic artist, revealing a complex woman with a hidden talent for capturing exceptional candid photographs of life in Chicago and beyond.

The extraordinary life story of science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) who, in spite of remaining for many years on the sidelines of the mainstream literature, managed to be recognized as one of the most remarkable US writers of all time, due to the relevance of her work and her commitment to the human condition.

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.

A biographical film that explores the life of Peter Sellers, a talented actor and comedian who faced emotional and physical abuse, struggled with failed marriages, and battled with his inner demons. Despite his success in the movie industry, his personal life was marred by his unstable relationships and mood swings. The film delves into the challenges Sellers faced as he tried to balance his career and family life, portraying the complexities of his personality and his impact on the people around him.

Mifune: The Last Samurai is a captivating documentary that explores the life and career of Toshiro Mifune, one of Japan's greatest actors. Through interviews, archival footage, and film clips, the film tells the story of Mifune's rise to stardom and his enduring impact on Japanese cinema. From his collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa to his portrayal of the iconic samurai character in films like Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, Mifune's talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

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.