Name: The Art of Influence
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1998-10-01
Duration: 1 h 27 min
Rating: 8.3
Cast: Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Cassandra Wilson, Carlos Fuentes

A unique documentary filmed in many cities and spaces, it registers fifteen artists' impressions on the life and work of other artists that influenced them. Part one "Performers on Performers" covers Salerno-Sonnenberg's opinions on Maria Callas, and Cassandra Wilson's on Miles Davis; in "Ways of Seeing", Fuentes talks about Luis Buñuel, Iturbide about Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Frankenthaler about Jackson Pollock, and Jackie Chan about Bruce Lee's films, Buster Keaton's stunts, Charles Chaplin's humor, as well as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Sylvester Stallone. Part three "Breaking the Silence" is dedicated to Fugard's admiration for Bertolt Brecht, and Oe's for Günter Grass. Choreographers Marin and Jones reflect on the influences of, respectively, Samuel Beckett and Marcel Proust, in "Choreographers on Writers"; and the fifth and last part, "Artist and Visionairies" registers Anger's opinion of Jean Cocteau, Bo's admiration for Marcel Duchamp, Komar and Melamid's memories of Andy Warhol, and O'Connor's affectionate appreciation for Bob Marley. See it if you find it: it is available complete, or in different chapters about each of the fifteen artists.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Divided in five parts, 'The Art of Influence' registers fifteen artists' impressions on the life and work of other artists that influenced them. Part one 'Performers on Performers' covers Salerno-Sonnenberg's opinions on Maria Callas, and Cassandra Wilson's on Miles Davis. In part two 'Ways of Seeing', Fuentes talks about Luis Buñuel, Iturbide about Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Frankenthaler about Jackson Pollock, and Jackie Chan about Bruce Lee's films, Buster Keaton's stunts, Charles Chaplin's humor, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Sylvester Stallone. Part three 'Breaking the Silence' is dedicated to Fugard's admiration for Bertolt Brecht, and Oe's for Günter Grass. Choreographers Marin and Jones reflect on the influences of, respectively, Samuel Beckett and Marcel Proust, in part four 'Choreographers on Writers'. The last part, 'Artist and Visionairies' registers Anger's opinion of Jean Cocteau, Bo's admiration for Marcel Duchamp, Komar and Melamid's memories of Andy Warhol, and O'Connor's affectionate appreciation for Bob Marley.

Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board

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The Art of Influence

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