Among the exciting and diverse selections at the 20th edition of the New York Polish Film Festival, one film has captured early buzz for its visual beauty, emotional power, and cultural urgency:
“The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Julie Rubio, this 96-minute feature documentary finally brings the complex life of one of the most iconic and misunderstood artists of the 20th century to the screen.
It’s not just a film about an artist. It’s a story of escape, reinvention, resilience—and an overdue reclamation of legacy.
🖌 Who Was Tamara de Lempicka?
You’ve likely seen her work before—those unforgettable Art Deco portraits filled with power, sensuality, and mystery. But the woman behind the brush? A story rarely told in full.
Tamara de Lempicka rose to fame in 1920s Paris, painting wealthy aristocrats and avant-garde socialites in a style that blended modernist boldness with classic elegance. As a bisexual, Jewish woman navigating the social and political turmoil of pre-WWII Europe, she reinvented herself repeatedly: from darling of the Paris art scene, to American émigré escaping fascism, to a misunderstood figure nearly erased by art history—until now.
🎞 A Story Nearly Lost — Now Brought to Life
Julie Rubio’s documentary is the first feature-length film to fully explore Lempicka’s life through newly uncovered documents, family interviews, 8mm home movies, and voiceover narration by Anjelica Huston. The film is also elevated by contributions from Barbra Streisand, who shares images from her private collection, and Madonna, whose latest world tour incorporates Lempicka’s artwork into her stage visuals.
The documentary reveals, for the first time, Lempicka’s true name, birth date, and heritage, correcting decades of misrepresentation in the art world. It also explores how she harnessed identity as performance, crafting a glamorous public image while hiding trauma, exile, and the scars of being “othered”—as a woman, an immigrant, a queer person, and a Jew.
💬 A Filmmaker’s Vision
Julie Rubio, who also produced and co-wrote the film, has spent nearly two decades developing this project. In her director’s statement, she reflects on discovering Lempicka’s work as a young woman and recognizing herself in it.
“I saw a woman who defied the world’s expectations—who put her pain and power onto the canvas. As a bisexual Latina filmmaker, I saw my own fears in her story… and I knew I had to tell it,” Rubio shares.
With her background in indie storytelling and a passion for elevating underrepresented voices, Rubio crafts a narrative that is both intimate and expansive. She weaves Lempicka’s art with animation, music, historical footage, and modern-day interviews to create a rich, immersive experience.
🌍 A Cast of Voices — and a Living Legacy
The film features insights from:
- Eden Espinosa, Broadway star of Lempicka: The Musical, who brings a modern lens to Lempicka’s emotional range
- Victoria and Marisa de Lempicka, the artist’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter, who now lead the Tamara de Lempicka Estate
- Scholars from institutions like Sotheby’s, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and Art e Dossier
- Barbra Streisand and Madonna, who reflect on Lempicka’s artistic and feminist significance
And yet, the real voice that echoes loudest is Lempicka’s own—through her brushwork, her letters, and the canvas that never blinked.
🔥 Why This Story Matters Now
Lempicka was ahead of her time—an unflinching feminist, a queer icon before the term existed, and an immigrant navigating the loss and upheaval of war. In 2024, one of her paintings sold at auction for over $21.1 million, making it the third-highest price ever paid for a modern female artist.
And yet, her personal story remained fragmented. This documentary not only reclaims her place in art history—it invites a rethinking of whose stories we choose to preserve.
In a time when freedom of expression, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ visibility are once again under scrutiny, Lempicka’s life becomes a mirror and a beacon. She didn’t just survive—she created. She didn’t just adapt—she refused to disappear.
🏛 A Festival Moment
The New York Polish Film Festival’s 20th anniversary is a celebration of heritage, resilience, and artistic courage—values Tamara de Lempicka embodied. Her Polish roots, while often overshadowed by her Parisian period, form the foundation of her identity. Her escape from fascism and her rise in exile make her story particularly poignant for this moment in global history.
As part of a slate that includes works by Andrzej Wajda and other giants of Polish cinema, The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival brings a feminist, queer, and refugee perspective that expands the festival’s scope and honors its spirit.
🎟 Don’t Miss It
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival is more than a documentary. It’s a visual love letter to an artist whose life was as bold as her brushstrokes—and whose truth demands to be seen.
🗓 Screening at the New York Polish Film Festival: 4:30 PM, Saturday, May 31
🎬 Runtime: 96 minutes
🌐 More info:
www.tamaradoc.com
💥 You know her paintings. Now you will know her name.
0 comments