About Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (HBO)

"Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures" is a 2016 HBO documentary about the life and work of controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. The film dives deep into Mapplethorpe's world, exploring his path from his upbringing in Queens, New York to his art-driven life in Manhattan. The film showcases an unflinching look at his provocative, powerful, and, sometimes pornographic, body of work.

Making / Production

Co-directed by Emmy-winners Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, it was produced by Katharina Otto-Bernstein and the HBO documentary films team. This was HBO’s first feature documentary to be aired after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in the same year (2016). The film was distinctly made in a manner to echo Mapplethorpe’s desire to "challenge the status quo and make a statement".

Actors

• Fenton Bailey - The co-director of the documentary, who along with Randy Barbato, successfully brings forth the enigma that was Robert Mapplethorpe.
• Randy Barbato - The other half of the dynamic duo who directed this documentary, reflecting the resilience and revolutionary attitude of Mapplethorpe.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This documentary marks the first time that the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation allowed an external party to film Mapplethorpe’s art.
• The film's name "Look at the Pictures" is a quote from Republican Senator Jesse Helms, an ardent critic of Mapplethorpe, who used it while condemning his work on the Senate floor.

Quotes

• 'I am looking for perfection in form.' - Robert Mapplethorpe
• 'Look at the pictures.' - Senator Jesse Helms

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's background score is composed by David Benjamin Steinberg, which beautifully complements the evocative narrative of the documentary.

Note: As a documentary movie, Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures doesn't feature traditional actors playing characters so there's no substantial information available for an 'Actors' section in the traditional sense. Also, there's no available record of the documentary winning any awards.