Francis Bacon and the Brutality of Fact

Francis Bacon and the Brutality of Fact is a riveting 1985 documentary that offers a passionate dissection of the life and creative genius of one of the 20th century's most celebrated and misunderstood artists – Francis Bacon. The film, directed by Michael Blackwood, takes an intimate look at Bacon's life and explores the themes of existential angst, visceral dysphoria, and aesthetic boldness that characterize his grotesque yet evocative oeuvre. Starring Francis Bacon himself along with John Deakin and David Sylvester, this piece of cinema is more than just a documentary; it is a cerebral interplay of art, philosophy, and the study of the human soul.

Not just the spectacle of Bacon's controversial art, but even the cast itself lends to the uniqueness of the film. The very subject of the documentary, Bacon, takes centre stage to run the audience through his tumultuous journey. His candid confessions and unperturbed retrospections humanize him in ways his art seldom could, making the audience privy to his darkest fears and the inspirations behind his most criticised works.

Adding dimension to Bacon's narrative, John Deakin, portrayed as Bacon's long-time friend and occasional muse, brings to light the finer, less talked about dynamics of their complex relationship. Through conversations and anecdotes, Deakin offers us rare glimpses into how his association with Bacon impacted his art and personal life.

Accompanying this pairing of unconventional personas is David Sylvester, an established art critic known for his in-depth understandings of Bacon's art methodology, who navigates the audience through the film's dense narrative structure. Sylvester's role furthers the film's narrative, as he guides viewers through the labyrinth of Bacon's technique, focusing on the maturation of his style and the evolution of his artistic vision. Sylvester stands as conduit between the audience and the painter, relaying Bacon's artistic philosophy and its translation into paint on the canvas.

Francis Bacon and the Brutality of Fact offers audiences an extensive journey through the artists' working world, filled with bottles of turpentine, wide brushes, cans of paint and dust sheets. Train yourself to see beyond the murky clutter, and you see the hint of genius, a manner of working that gave rise to a style that was distinctly Bacon's.

When discussing the movie's aesthetic, one cannot overlook how strikingly it maneuvers between tranquil candidness and erratic excitement. The film is a collection of non-sequential, yet interconnected events and environment that are bound by the common threads of Bacon's life. The aesthetic dichotomy, complete with teeming London streets, quiet painting studios, raucous pubs, and stuffy art galleries, resonates with Bacon's own juxtaposition of agony and joy that reflects in his work.

Throughout this journey, the viewer gains insights into Bacon's creative process, witnessing the birth of ideas from rudimentary sketches to fully formed artistry. Bacon's art is synonymous with its portrayal of the human condition, and the film vividly depicts this process of conversion, showcasing how the artist's feelings of desolation and despair observe form in oil on canvas.

The documentary makes ample use of its archival footage, bringing in faces and places from Bacon's past that offer up invaluable context. The experiences and individuals that Bacon interviews are instrumental in shaping his philosophy, evolving his style, and understanding his capacity for visualising horror with an unwavering gaze.

In Francis Bacon and the Brutality of Fact, the viewer is privileged to witness the workings of Bacon's mind, the incredible energy that drives his creativity, and the often gruesome imagery that seizes his imagination. The film is at once a haunting depiction of a tortured soul and a testament to the resilience of human creativity. Its uncompromising portrayal of how emotional turmoil becomes the essence of art makes it an enthralling watch for patrons of art, psychology, and philosophy alike.

In conclusion, the film is not merely a documentary tracing the life and work of an artist, but a definitive exploration into the psyche of a man whose art emerged from his grappling with existential torment. Francis Bacon and the Brutality of Fact is a nuanced, provocative, and highly illuminating cinematic experience that should not be missed by anyone interested in contemporary art and the courage of those who dare to visually represent stark human realities.