HBO Premieres Robert Mapplethorpe Documentary

HBO Premieres Robert Mapplethorpe Documentary

LOS ANGELES — The first feature-length documentary about Robert Mapplethorpe since his death, “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on HBO.

A photographer, Mapplethorpe documented sexuality, race and gender in pictures that helped spark questions over free speech that continued well after his untimely death due to AIDS in 1989. 

The HBO feature takes a look at Mapplethorpe’s early childhood to his beginnings in New York City to his meteoric rise in the art world to his death, and well after it.

Just months after his death, Washington’s Corcoran Gallery of Art canceled the showing of a self-planned retrospective of his work, “The Perfect Moment,” after Sen. Jesse Helms campaigned to keep the National Endowment for the Arts from funding his exhibition.  At the time Helms called Mapplethorpe a “known homosexual who died of AIDS.” 

Later, the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati was acquitted of obscenity charges stemming from its showing of “The Perfect Moment.”

The film’s directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato interview Mapplethorpe’s younger brother, who acted as the photographer’s assistant for many years, as well as actress Brooke Shields, writer Fran Lebowitz, designer Carolina Herrera and singer Debbie Harry.

HBO’s “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures” is being released in conjunction with "Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium," a joint retrospective exhibit at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Lyric Sky Returns to Brazzers

Lyric Sky stars with Lawson Jones in the latest release from Brazzers.

Andie Anderson Makes Her MILFY Debut

Andie Anderson has made her debut for Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY, alongside Isiah Maxwell and Hollywood Cash.

Peachy Alice Fronts Latest From Immoral Productions

Peachy Alice stars in a new trilogy from Immoral Productions, alongside Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Jessi Rae Signs Exclusive Contract With Vixen Media Group

Vixen Media Group (VMG) has signed Jessi Rae to an exclusive contract.

Pure Taboo Debuts Bree Mills Thriller 'The Party's Over'

Hazel Moore stars with Liz Jordan and Hailey Rose in the latest thriller from Pure Taboo, titled “The Party’s Over.”

Athena Heart Stars in Latest From TeamSkeet

Athena Heart stars with Jason Sarcinelli, Axel Haze, and Nick Strokes in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Violet Myers, Valentina Nappi Star in Latest From Brazzers

2025 XMAs Premium Social Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Valentina Nappi and Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “V and V Share a Big D.”

2025 AltStar Awards Nominees Announced

Nominations have been announced for the 2025 AltStar Awards, aka the AltPorn Awards, presented by Bad Dragon.

Angela White Stars in New Interactive Scene From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with reigning and two-time XMAs Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in a new interactive release from Brazzers, titled “Taking Angela Back To Your Place.”

Marvin Love Directs 'Rich and Horny Weirdos' for Brazzers

Brazzers has released a new scene directed by Marvin Love, titled “Rich and Horny Weirdos.”

Show More