Botero

Botero is an iconic movie from 2018 that opens up the magnificently creative world of the renowned Colombian artist, Fernando Botero. This exceptional documentary offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the intriguing life and impressive career of this vital artist, a legendary figure in modern art who is also known as 'The Maestro'. The film deftly weaves together archival footage with telling interviews, giving us an intimate glimpse into the artistic genius of the man behind some of the modern world’s most distinctive and popular works.

Directed by Don Millar, Botero delves deep into the private life and the spectacular 60-year long career of Botero, which has spanned continents and art forms. The film documents Botero’s story from his early days struggling to get recognition in the local art scene to his granite-like determination to succeed despite the vicissitudes of his early art career until becoming the world-renowned artist he is today.

Fernando Botero himself hogs the limelight in the movie, sharing unseen and unheard stories of his life and experiences. His charismatic and candid interviews are other highlights of the piece, giving it a personal touch. They provide an intimate insight into his philosophies, his working process, and the motivation behind his iconic voluminous characters that toy with proportions. Also on display are the paradoxical yet deeply engaging enormities of Botero’s art, which combines satirical humor with heavy subjects, making for an endearing style that is uniquely his own.

In addition to Fernando Botero, the documentary also features enlightening interviews with a host of art critics, historians, fans, and family members. Among these are art historian Miriam Basilio and his son Juan Carlos Botero who shed light on Botero’s art from a different perspective. Their interviews significantly augment the storyline, offering varying perspectives into the Maestro's unique style and his indelible impact on the art world.

The film is not just about the artist, but also his magnificent and wide-ranging oeuvre. Botero’s distinctive artistic style, referred to as 'Boterismo', mocks power and pomp while championing the underdogs. It is characterized by the exaggerated and inflated proportions of the human figures and objects he portrays. The movie takes the audience on a visual treat featuring a grand display of Botero’s brilliant works, spanning sectors as diverse as painting, sculpture, and sketching.

Mocking elitism while praising the humble, Botero’s repertoire of work is social commentary at its finest. He strives to convey the human essence through forms that veer away from realism but remain conceptually truthful, embodying elements of satire, humor, color, and politics.

Botero is not just limited to being an engaging narrative of the artist’s journey and his art. The film spans multiple locations in Colombia, Europe, and the United States, offering footage of Botero's exhibitions around the world, thus placing us right in the heart of the global art scene. It beautifully captures the vibrancy and hues of Colombia, thus infusing a sense of the roots that influenced this painter extraordinaire.

The captivating cinematography and keen attention to detail add depth to the film, making it visually arresting and emotionally captivating. The narrative is remarkably built with a seamless flow, which takes viewers through Botero's life chronologically, offering an in-depth understanding of the factors that shaped Botero's character and art.

Notably, Botero presents the Maestro not just as a revered artist but as a family man, drawing us closer to this legendary figure. Whether it’s the moments of impassioned creation in his studio, his camaraderie with his children, or his joy in exploring the world with his beloved wife, Sophia Vari, the film presents a complete picture of a man whose love for life is as engrossing as his love for art.

Botero is a must-watch documentary film that is a paean to one of the world's most popular and prolific artists. It also acts as a fantastic primer for anyone uninitiated into the world of modern art, providing an enjoyable opportunity to appreciate the tremendous contribution of this legendary artist, as well as an invitation to delve deeper into the awe-inspiring world of Fernando Botero.