Face to Face: Don Bachardy

An intimate, warm portrait of an artist's life and love, balancing flamboyant anecdotes with a devastatingly tender meditation on loss.

Directed by

Guido Santi, Tina Louise Mascara

Starring

Don Bachardy, Billy Al Benston

Overview

A revealing documentary that explores the vibrant life, work, and flamboyant personality of portrait artist Don Bachardy, focusing on his lifelong romantic partnership with novelist Christopher Isherwood. From their Santa Monica home, Bachardy spills vivid details on his sitters: how he got to touch Ginger Rogers' face, how Henry Fonda—who famously hated queers—eventually came around to pose for him, and how Governor Jerry Brown actually sat for his portrait 40 years ago, unlike Ronnie and Arnold. Bachardy's unique philosophy allows him to enter his sitters' lives, discern their personalities, and see straight into their souls. Yet, the emotional core and pinnacle of the documentary is his profound bond with Isherwood. During Isherwood's final six months, as he lay bedridden and dying right in front of him, Bachardy produced 448 black-paint portraits. Explaining that his paintbrush was in mourning, Bachardy offers a breathtaking, devastatingly pure expression of love and loss.

How it feels

Warm, melancholic, earnest and light. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Love, grief, art, identity

Content

Mild sexual content and language. No violence or gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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