This afternoon, the Miami International Film Festival had a spectacular Twitter chat with Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures directors (and World of Wonder founders) Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey!
Check out the super fascinating Q&A and then buy tickets to see the film at #MiamiFF!
@MiamiFilmFest @Randybarbato A1: that he produced a lifetime's work in a few short years #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @Randybarbato A1: Also he was shockingly honest – even if it wasn't always flattering to him. #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A1: That his early work, particularly his collages were so awesome #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey We learned that like Oprah, he led an Authentic Life! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
Q2: What are your favorite pieces from Mapplethorpe? @fbailey @Randybarbato #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Miami Film Festival (@MiamiFilmFest) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A2: OMG too many options! Thats why we included almost 500 images in the film! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A2: Though I do have a soft spot for many of the self-portraits! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest LOVED his portrait of Gloria Thurn and Taxis #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe pic.twitter.com/TB5bDJoiN0
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest Of all his pictures Mapplethorpe said he thought the sex pictures were the most important #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
Q3: What interested you in telling this story? @Randybarbato @fbailey #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Miami Film Festival (@MiamiFilmFest) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest A3: Helms condemnation of his work cast a long shadow 25yrs on we can look at the pics as M intended #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A3: We lived in East Village in 80's. We knew the name/brand Mapplethorpe but not the man! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest A3: and we were interested to see if his work is still considered shocking today #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
Q4: What question do you wish you could have asked Mapplethorpe personally? @Randybarbato @Fbailey #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Miami Film Festival (@MiamiFilmFest) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest A4: If I met him today is he is pleased with the way things have turned out in the 25yrs since he died #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest A4: and I would definitely ask him to take my picture because he made all his subjects look good #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A4: Would he abandon Fame for Love? What didn't he photograph that he would have wanted to? #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
Q5: What do you want audiences to take away from this film? @fbailey @Randybarbato #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Miami Film Festival (@MiamiFilmFest) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey A5: We hope that people will get to see the work/experience the man minus the Helms scandal! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest A5: M said Art was about opening up. V important today w/ people embracing bigotry + ignorance #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016
Q6: Final quesiton! What is on your must-do list when you’re visiting Miami for the festival? @Randybarbato @fbailey #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Miami Film Festival (@MiamiFilmFest) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest @fbailey To see other films at the festival and meet art-heads and documentary geeks! #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— Randy Barbato (@Randybarbato) February 24, 2016
@MiamiFilmFest Puerto Sagua! Last time was there it was closed after a kitchen fire :-( #MiamiFFXMapplethorpe
— fenton bailey (@fbailey) February 24, 2016