Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful (2020)

Born in the lap of affluence to a Jewish family, Helmut Newton's formative years were steeped in the hedonistic allure of a no-holds-barred Berlin during the Weimar Republic era. As an adolescent, he was tutored under the watchful eye of Yva, an early pioneer of commercial photography who tragically perished during the Holocaust. This pivotal period of his life was framed by his family's relentless persecution under the rising Third Reich and the indelible influence of Leni Riefenstahl, a notorious Nazi propagandist and filmmaker. In 1938, Newton embarked on a daring escape with his family, eventually meeting his lifelong companion, June, in Australia while working as a commercial photographer. They found home in Paris, where Newton began to transcend the conservative boundaries of fashion photography, aligning with the revolutionary political turbulence of 60s France. Drawing from the darkest chapters of German history, Newton wove a profound artistic legacy. His portfolio, a bold exploration of eroticism and subversion, was a provocative homage to his homeland’s past, dominated by powerful, 'Aryan'-like women in stilettos navigating the shadowy vestiges of his motherland. Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful is a visual feast. Each frame is a testament to Newton’s artistic prowess, featuring his captivating imagery and the insights of his creative allies including Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Isabella Rossellini, Marianne Faithfull, Anna Wintour, and his widow, June Newton. The film offers an intimate peek into Newton's life and legacy, reflecting on the indomitable spirit of a man who dared to see beyond convention and capture the world through a uniquely provocative lens.

Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful is a documentary movie featuring Charlotte Rampling.

Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Metrograph.

It is also possible to buy Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.