I’m not a big fan of documentaries, especially since fact checking them may be very difficult. So when it comes to films that involve politics and religion for example where I have to give an opinion, I shy away from them not wanting to take a side. So when a film like Helmut Newton: The Bad & the Beautiful about a famous photographer comes along I accept the challenge of giving my view.
That said, most photographers are terribly boring unless there is a good story going along with their works of art. I’m not the first one to say that as here is a statement from the filmmaker of Helmut Newton: The Bad & the Beautiful. … “And the films of photographers that I’ve seen are terribly boring because they show a guy behind the camera, they show his back, they show the camera and you hear the click click click of the shutter and the dumb talk that goes on between a model or a sitter and the photographer.” – Gero Von Boehm, filmmaker. Of course he was not referring to his film.
The biography of Helmut Newton does not fit in the aforementioned category of boring, not at all. The man was an outgoing gregarious man whose work was applauded by millions. Shooting notables throughout the world, he was able to do what most in his trade was not able, especially his nudes. He was able to capture the female form like no other and instead of seeking out his subjects they came to him.
This is his story as told by Von Boehm and the people who had the pleasure of being photographed. Comments from some of his famous models, shots of the rich and famous and other works are featured in the film. Some are featured in photographs and others are interviewed. Check out Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Isabella Rossellini, Catherine Deneuve, Anna Wintour, Claudia Schiffer, Sylvia Gobbel, Marianne Faithfull, Hanna Schygulla, Nadja Auermann, photos include Margaret Thatcher, Hugh Hefner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sigourney Weaver.
There is so much more in the film from posing to power, vanity to vision, Helmut Newton surly makes for a good show. Editor’s Note: His life in Germany in the late 1930’s, being Jewish, led to him fleeing the country. His family was stripped of their factory and they fled to Argentina. A plaque on his birthhouse in Schoneberg, Berlin reads: “At this spot used to stand the birthhouse of HELMUT NEUSTÄDTER (1920–2004), son of Jewish parents. After his emigration in 1938 he became known as HELMUT NEWTON, one of the most famous photographers worldwide.”
Helmut Newton: The Bad & the Beautiful has not been rated, but his photographs, video and film clips contain nudity, and there is some language. The film is available on Virtual Cinema.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An interesting and visually dynamic film. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Charlotte Rampling, Catherine Deneuve, Isabella Rossellini
Directed by: Gero von Boehm
Genre: Documentary
Language: English and German
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, nudity, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min.
Opening Date: July 24, 2020
Distributed by: Kino Lorber
Released in: Virtual Cinema
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
