Museum Cinema / Bacon Freud, Face à Face, 2023 →

The film explores the intense and complex relationship between Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, two of Britain’s most celebrated painters. In the early 1950s, the two were inseparable, meeting daily in Soho, London, at their favorite clubs and pubs. Their friendship spanned years but ended abruptly following a sharp critique from Bacon regarding one of Freud’s paintings. After Bacon remarked that he would pour a bucket of paint over the work, the two never spoke again.

The bond between the two artists was marked by striking contrasts. Bacon, born in Ireland, was an extroverted, compulsive gambler who lived openly as a gay man. In contrast, Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, appeared to embody the British establishment; he was a private family man known for his elegant appearance. These differences were mirrored in their artistic styles: Bacon’s work was characterized by extreme, unsettling expressionism, while Freud focused on realistic portraiture, often depicting male and female nudes.

The documentary weaves together archival footage and interviews to present the compelling story of this friendship and its eventual collapse. It offers a deep look into the lives of these creators, examining the intersection of their personal companionship and their artistic legacies. The film showcases their powerful artworks, providing insight into the complex nature of their creative processes and their personal histories.

Screenings of the film are preceded by a short lecture delivered by the Museum’s curators. Admission to the Museum’s exhibitions is included with the film ticket during regular operating hours. This presentation is made possible through the courtesy of the EPOS International Art Film Festival.