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 documentary highlights the stark contrast between the two men. 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 private, family-oriented, and always elegantly dressed. Their artistic styles were equally distinct: Bacon’s work was defined by unsettling, extreme expressionism, while Freud focused on realistic portraiture, often depicting nude subjects.

Through a combination of archival footage and interviews, the film presents their powerful artworks and examines the dynamics of their bond. It offers a compelling look at companionship, the creative process, and the intricate lives of these two influential figures. The screening is presented courtesy of the EPOS International Art Film Festival.

The program includes a short lecture by the Museum’s curators prior to the screening. Admission to the Museum’s exhibitions is included with the film ticket during regular operating hours.