JIFF: Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful

“Unexpectedly moving, and a nostalgic time capsule of an art-world rebel whose unorthodox methods and decidedly politically incorrect vision couldn’t exist today.” - Indiewire

Women were clearly at the core of legendary - if provocative - photographer Helmut Newton’s work. Born in Germany, his Jewish family was forced to flee the country in 1938 following the increasingly oppressive Nuremburg laws. Newton spent most of WWII in Australia, before marrying Melbourne-born actor and photographer June Browne and setting up a studio in Flinders Lane.

The stars of his iconic portraits and fashion editorials – from Catherine Deneuve to Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling to Isabella Rossellini – finally give their own interpretation of his life and work. Titillating, unconventional, subversive, his depiction of women still sparks the question: were they subjects or objects? This humanising documentary is a wildly entertaining portrait of a controversial genius.

Co-presented by Goethe-Institut Australia, and the Jewish Museum of Australia alongside their upcoming Helmut exhibition.

Rating

E

Language

English, French, German (English subtitles)

Cast

Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Isabella Rossellini, Catherine Deneuve

Director

Gero von Boehm