Following the extraordinarily successful AACTA winner My Name is Gulpilil, Reynolds’ latest film shares with audiences the incredible love story of the late Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy, using footage shot exclusively by his partner of 20 years, Roberto Meza Mont (God’s Favourite Idiot, Top of the Lake, Candy).
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at its Mardi Gras Film Festival World Premiere in February, A Portrait of Love more recently opened the Bangalow Film Festival where it received a standing ovation.
A Portrait of Love is confirmed for a Sydney screening at Dendy Newtown on Monday 10 June, a Victorian Premiere Q&A screening at Cinema Nova on Tues 11 June before screening as Opening Night of the Darwin Pride Film Festival on June 21. Additional screenings are soon to be announced.
“A Portrait of Love is the fifth film by Molly Reynolds we have distributed through ABCG Film, and as with all of her films, her deeply personal connection to the subjects and her unique perspective creates something truly special. While a good love story is timeless, June spoke to us as the perfect time to connect with more audiences, as Australia celebrates Pride Month, and hits Archibald Prize fever.” said ABCG Film’s Alicia and Cathy.
2024 marks 20 years since Ruddy’s portrait of Australian screen legend David Gulpilil ‘Two Worlds’ won the Archibald Prize as well as the People’s Choice Award, a win that caused great controversy. Ruddy’s Archibald Prize finalist works include portraits of Cathy Freeman, Bruce Pascoe, and that of Warwick Thornton, ‘The Prince of Darkness’, which won the People’s Choice Award in 2016.
Synopsis:
“We were the best for each other”…Roberto.
For over twenty years, Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy and his partner Roberto Meza Mont filmed their life together to share with friends and family.
They documented events big and small, from celebrations and travel to the inner workings of a significant artist, illustrating a vibrant, joyous life that was filled with love.
To tell their story, their friend, documentary-maker Molly Reynolds (My Name is Gulpilil), spent months immersed in Roberto’s footage and crafted her most intimate film to date.
An extraordinary insight into a prolific artist and the relationship that inspired him, the film is a rich and spirited portrait of life, love, and loss that draws you into its open embrace.
Using footage shot by Roberto Meza Mont, the film is directed by Molly Reynolds, produced by Reynolds and Rolf de Heer, and co-produced by Anthony Anderson and Roberto Meza Mont. Editor is Sam Matthews, with sound design by Tom Heuzenroeder. Art works and opening animation are by Craig Ruddy, and colour grade and post-production finishing by Mark Eland.
SCREENINGS
Sydney: Dendy Newtown, 1.30pm Monday 10 June
followed by a Q&A with Molly Reynolds & Roberto Meza Mont
Melbourne: Cinema Nova, 6.45pm Tuesday 11 June
followed by a Q&A with Molly Reynolds & Roberto Meza Mont
Darwin: Deckchair Cinema, 7pm, Friday 21 June
