Robert Frank, now 91 years old, is among the most influential artists of the last half-century. His seminal volume, The Americans, published in 1958, records the Swiss-born photographer’s candid reactions to American poverty and racism. It helped define the off-the-cuff, idiosyncratic elegance that are hallmarks of Frank’s artistry.
Director Laura Israel (Frank’s longtime film editor) and producer Melinda Shopsin were given unprecedented access to the notably irascible artist.
The assembled portrait is not unlike Frank’s underground movies – rough around the edges and brimming with surprises and insights
Along with clips from the 1959 Beat short, PULL MY DAISY (co-directed by Alfred Leslie), DON’T BLINK displays samples from Frank’s rarely seen movies, ME AND MY BROTHER and COCKSUCKER BLUES. Soundtrack includes Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, and more.
photos courtesy grasshopper film
Don’t Blink: Robert Frank | Laemmle’s Monica Film Center | opens July 29