Film Explores Unlikely Friendship Between Lucian Freud and Kate Moss
A new film, Moss & Freud, dramatizes the unlikely bond between painter Lucian Freud and supermodel Kate Moss during the creation of Freud's 2002 portrait Naked Portrait. Directed by James Lucas, the film stars Ellie Bamber as Moss and Derek Jacobi as Freud. It depicts their sessions in Freud's Kensington studio from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, over several months. The pair bonded over Titian's Diana and Actaeon at the National Gallery in London. Moss served as executive producer, and David Dawson, Freud's studio assistant, provided insight. The portrait sold for £3.9 million at Christie's London in 2005. Freud died in 2011 at age 88. The film is available on VOD from Cineverse.
Key facts
- Lucian Freud painted Naked Portrait of Kate Moss in 2002.
- The portrait shows a naked, pregnant Moss on a narrow cot.
- Freud rarely painted celebrities and turned down Princess Diana.
- Moss & Freud is James Lucas's first feature film.
- Lucas won an Academy Award for his 2013 short The Phone Call.
- Moss served as executive producer on the film.
- David Dawson, Freud's studio assistant, provided insight and his hands stood in for Freud's in close-ups.
- Naked Portrait sold for £3.9 million at Christie's London in 2005.
Entities
Artists
- Lucian Freud
- Kate Moss
- James Lucas
- Ellie Bamber
- Derek Jacobi
- David Dawson
- Jasmine Blackborow
- Bella Freud
- Caroline Blackwood
- Leigh Bowery
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Celia Paul
- Jefferson Hack
- Lila Moss
- Titian
Institutions
- Cineverse
- National Gallery
- Christie's London
- Artnet News
- London International Film Festival
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Kensington
- East London
Sources
- Artnet News —
- Artsy —