A kaleidoscope of ground-breaking artists, great performances, and cultural icons
Chosen with the “big screen and sound” experience in mind, Portraits offers a diverse selection of documentary features about music, art, and design. From salsa and Sun Ra to Caravaggio, Kengo Kuma, and Kinan Azmeh, Portraits tours the world, providing access to great artists in intimate settings — and even some voguing AI! The home team is represented by Robert Bateman and E.J. Hughes.
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The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.
John Candy: I Like Me
A Canadian icon who defined a generation of comedy, John Candy's presence still looms large in the hearts of fans decades after his tragic death. This documentary is a hilarious, heartwarming celebration of Candy’s generous spirit and singular talent.
particle dance
A poetic tribute to the artistic innovations of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. particle dance captures the humility and beauty of Kuma’s balancing act between tradition and experimentation, as he seeks to reconnect humans with their natural environment.
Are We Good?
Affable curmudgeon Marc Maron jokes his way through grief, trying to make sense of the world and his comedy following the death of his partner. A cantankerously poignant, wryly funny cri de coeur from one of the most genuine comedians in the business.
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
Whether he was a man, a musician, or an emissary from Saturn (as he claimed), Sun Ra was one of the unique visionaries of the 20th century. Christine Turner’s documentary explores the legacy of this iconoclastic who turned his life into a work of art.
Assembly
This vibrant documentary explores interdisciplinary artist Rashaad Newsome’s visionary 2022 exhibition Assembly, a multimedia extravaganza of artists collaborating to create an immersive, empowering space exploring the joy of Black and Queer culture.
I Want It All. Hildegard Knef
A glamorous icon full of poise and style, Hildegard Knef was one of the 20th century’s true film stars. This documentary reveals the multi-faceted layers beneath her larger-than-life persona, exploring her rise to fame while piercing the masks she hid behind.
Half Moon: Kinan Azmeh
Syrian musician Kinan Azmeh questions how art and music can adequately confront the tragedy of war in this introspective documentary. A profound and celebratory meditation on art’s ability to build solidarity, community, and hope in the world.
The Art of Adventure
The unbelievable adventure story of how painter Robert Bateman and ecologist Bristol Foster drove a Land Rover from Africa to Australia in 1957, developing a love of nature to last a lifetime. An inspirational love letter to the adventure of life itself.
La Salsa Vive
An exuberant celebration of salsa that traces the genre's evolution from New York City in the 1960s and 70s to Cali, Colombia — the salsa capital of the world. Carvajal’s documentary highlights the rich legacy of this musical form and the joy it inspires.
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Caravaggio
In the latest from Exhibition on Screen, co-directors David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky shed light not only on Caravaggio’s paintings, but his life, often kept half-hidden in the same chiaroscuro tones he shaded his masterpieces with.
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The Essence of Eva
Tragically dying years before she’d rise to global fame, Eva Cassidy was an uncompromising artist whose transcendent voice still resonates. With never-before-heard recordings and footage, this intimate portrait captures the person behind the legend.
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