Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro, Sr.

Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro, Sr. is a 2014 documentary that reflects on the life, career, and legacy of painter Robert De Niro, Sr., through the eyes of his son, acclaimed actor Robert De Niro. This poignant and thoughtful documentary is a tribute that offers an intimate look into the elder De Niro's life and accomplishments as an artist.

Produced by HBO Documentary Films, Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro, Sr. manages to convey a deeply personal perspective on its titular subject through interviews, archival footage, and dramatic visual narratives. Noted directors Perri Peltz and Geeta Gandbhir guide this journey through the American post-war art scene, ultimately crafting a film that not only showcases art but also tells a heartfelt story about a father as observed by his son.

The film begins with an overview of Robert De Niro, Sr.'s early life, putting his struggle as an artist into an historical and cultural context. Born in 1922, the senior De Niro emerged as an abstract expressionist painter during the 1940s-1950s. His raw and poetic art was recognized as extraordinary, but De Niro, Sr. suffered when the art world moved from abstract expressionism to pop art in the 1960s.

The personal narrative of the senior De Niro is skilfully knitted together through his own words, taken from his journals, as well as eloquently explained by art historians, fellow artists, and his son. These personal accounts highlight the trials and tribulations of an artist who struggled to gain acceptance and acknowledgement in a rapidly changing art scene. Also adding depth to the artist's portrayal are visits to De Niro, Sr.'s New York City studio, which remains more or less untouched since his last working days.

A huge part of the documentary revolves around Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro recounting his father’s battle with his artistic identity, his struggles against the changing art scene, his personal life, and his last days. However, this isn't just a documentary that focuses on the narrative of the elder De Niro. There are aspects that reflect directly on his son as he shares his own experiences, memories, and admiration for his father and his work. It's clear that De Niro views his father’s work as beautiful, groundbreaking, and that his legacy needs preserving and recognising.

Another integral part of the research and context provided in the film comes from art experts who, via interviews and discussions, shed light on De Niro, Sr.'s place in the post-war American art scene, essentially strengthening his son's claims of his importance.

One of the key components that makes this documentary so poignant is its display of De Niro, Sr.'s art. The film showcases his impressive oeuvre, highlighting his unique use of color, his potent blending of abstract and representational elements, and his extraordinary skill as a draftsman. This in-depth view of his art allows the audience to appreciate the senior De Niro's talent on a visceral level, making the documentary an even more compelling tribute.

What’s more, Drena De Niro, the actor's daughter, also speaks on her grandfather, offering a generational perspective and lending the documentary additional depth and nuance.

Robert De Niro's passion for preserving and promoting his father's art is heartfelt and sincere, making Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro, Sr. feel less like a traditional documentary and more like a personal journey, unveiling the legacy of a brilliant, yet underrated artist.

Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro, Sr. is a touching tribute, an emotional journey, and a lovingly crafted documentary that shines a deserving spotlight on a gifted painter. The movie serves as a testament to the enduring impact of the artist's work and his influence on his son. It's a cinematic tribute that will touch not only fans of visual arts, but also anyone who appreciates stories about determination, love, and the life's work of one man as told by another.