Virginia Film Festival

Mark Rothko acknowledged him as a “myth-maker.” Clement Greenberg called him “a highly influential maverick and an independent genius.” Yet Clyfford Still, one of the strongest, most original contributors to abstract expressionism, walked away from the commercial art world at the height of his career. Extremely disciplined, principled, prolific, and even Jackson Pollock saying, “he makes the rest of us look academic,” Still left behind a treasure trove of works like no other major artist in history. Weaving together a mosaic of archival material, found footage, and audio recorded by the artist himself, this documentary beautifully depicts a modern icon, his uncompromising creative journey, and the price of his independence.

Discussion with director Dennis Scholl and editor Konstantia Kontaxis, moderated by Matthew McLendon (UVA) to follow.