John Berger or The Art of Looking (2016)

Celebrating the art of seeing through the visionary lens of John Berger, "John Berger or The Art of Looking" delves into the heart of a man whose life has been dedicated to exploring art, politics, and the essence of observation. This intimate portrayal of the revolutionary writer and art critic unveils how he has profoundly shaped our perception of art and life over the last five decades. Berger's ingenuity lies in his ability to transform paintings into narratives and recast stories as images, making his "looking eye" a beacon of intellectual illumination. A firm believer in the power of conviction, he spent decades in a tranquil mountain village in the French Alps. The dichotomy of his existence, balanced between the rustic simplicity of peasant life and the mechanized modernity symbolized by his beloved motorcycle, is as striking as his works. The film introduces us to Berger's unique perspective through his conversations with an array of artists and thinkers. These include theatre maestro Simon McBurney, film-director Michael Dibb, visual artist John Christie, cartoonist Selçuk Demiral, photographer Jean Mohr, and Berger's own children, film-critic Katya Berger and painter Yves Berger. The narrative journey begins with Berger's stunning revelation following a successful cataract removal surgery. Confronted with the reinvigorated wonder of sight, he rediscovers the joy of seeing, an experience that echoes throughout the film. Crafted as a portrait of his works and collaborations, this creative documentary eschews traditional biography in favor of Berger's preferred role as a storyteller, guiding us through the fascinating world of his art of looking.

John Berger or The Art of Looking is a documentary movie featuring Simon McBurney and directed by Cordelia Dvorak.

John Berger or The Art of Looking is currently streaming on OVID.