Christopher Saunders
Matt Smith as Robert Mapplethorpe in “Mapplethorpe,” a film produced by Eliza Dushku and her brother Nate, will be in the Tribeca Film Festival.
A biopic produced by Watertown native Eliza Dushku about artist Robert Mapplethorpe, whose work sparked controversy in the 1980s, will be premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The film, “Mapplethorpe,” was a family effort by Dushku and her brother Nate, who is also a producer. Mapplethorpe is portrayed by British actor Matt Smith, who is known for his roles as The Doctor in “Doctor Who” and Prince Philip in “The Crown.”
The film is written and directed by Ondi Timoner, who also directed “Dig!”
Dushku has been trying to make the movie for a decade. The movie is about Mapplethorpe, who was famous for his provocative black-and-white portraits and pictures of New York’s underground BDSM scene in the 70s. Dushku recently put out request for funding to finish the film on Indiegogo.
The Tribeca Film Festival will run from April 18-29 in New York. “Mapplethorpe” is one of 10 films entered into the U.S. Narrative Competition.
Are you ready? #MapplethorpeMovie will launch soon on #Indiegogo. With an amazing team behind the film, this campaign will be epic – you don’t want to miss this! To be the 1st to know when we launch, sign up to our mailing list. Won’t be long now.😉 📷🎬 https://t.co/IbXUHd01Ph pic.twitter.com/zBRZPE8kYZ
— Mapplethorpe Movie 📷 (@mapplethorpemov) March 4, 2018
Robert Mapplethorpe was one of the greatest American photographers. Perhaps provocative when quite young, but to characterize him as “infamous” at this point is misguided. His images have a classical beauty, whatever his subject, which few photographers have been able to match.
You’re right about the use of the word “infamous.” It doesn’t apply. The word “controversial” might be more appropriate, as it doesn’t have the negative tone of the word used.
I actually leaned away from controversial, but I think you are right.