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The Arts Intel Report

Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful

Miami, 1978, by Helmut Newton © Arena, New York Times.

July 24 – Sept 15, 2020

“I like photographing women who appear to know something of life,” said Helmut Newton, the German-Australian photographer known for both definitive fashion photography and iconic portraits of stars Catherine Deneuve, Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Isabella Rossellini, and many others. He also said, “There must be a certain look of availability in the women I photograph.” Coming on what would have marked the photographer’s centenary, a new film by Gero von Boehm tracks Newton’s life through five decades, ultimately asking whether the women he photographed were subjects or objects in his eyes. The documentary, expected to have its world premiere at the canceled Tribeca Film Festival this past spring, will instead be released through Kino Marquee’s virtual cinema platform. —J.V.