David Hockney documentary draws crowds in New York ahead of Frieze

Randall Wright's documentary 'Hockney' has become a hit in New York's art-house circuit, just as the city prepares for Frieze New York. Originally a 2002 TV film, Wright reworked it into a feature documentary that premiered at the London Film Festival in 2014. The film eschews a didactic approach, instead weaving together private archival footage and interviews with friends and colleagues to create a layered portrait of the artist. Wright focuses on Hockney's personal life rather than his career, revealing anecdotes such as Hockney dyeing his hair blond after being persuaded by Clairol's slogan 'Blonds Have More Fun.' The documentary also highlights Hockney's role as a pioneering advocate for gay rights in Los Angeles and his early adoption of technology, including faxing an artwork to a museum for an exhibition. A sense of melancholy pervades the film, particularly regarding the AIDS epidemic and the loss of many friends. The documentary has not yet been released in Italy.