Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

A candid, unflinching portrait that balances provocative imagery with quiet reflection on art, desire, and mortality.

Directed by

Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Robert Mapplethorpe, Fran Lebowitz, Debbie Harry

Overview

Nude men in rubber suits, close-ups of erections, objects shoved in the most intimate of places—these are photographs taken by Robert Mapplethorpe, known by many as the most controversial photographer of the twentieth century. Openly gay, Mapplethorpe took images of male sex, nudity, and fetish to extremes that resulted in his work still being labelled by some as pornography masquerading as art. But less talked about are the more serene, yet striking portraits of flowers, sculptures, and perfectly framed human forms that are equally pioneering and powerful.

How it feels

Earnest, dark, melancholic and satirical. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Art, sexuality, identity, celebrity

Content

Strong sexual content and language. No violence or gore.

Note

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

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)