Ralph Steadman Launches New Exhibition And Documentary Film In London

A new documentary film on the life and work of the artist Ralph Steadman has its London premiere on 30th May. Made over the course of fifteen years, For No Good Reason explores the connection between life and art through the eyes of one of Briton’s best loved artists.  Johnny Depp’s lead in this intimate portrait illustrates what makes this artist tick, his fallings out, his love for art and his passion for civil liberties.

The film is a riot of stories and images portraying the wild and dark days of Steadman’s time with Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas writer Hunter S. Thompson with contributions from Terry Gilliam and Richard E. Grant, plus music from Slash, All American Rejects, Jason Mraz, James Blake, Ed Harcourt and Crystal Castles.

Born in 1936, Ralph Steadman began his career as a cartoonist and through the years diversified into many fields of creativity. Artist, writer, sculptor, cartoonist and designer, he has illustrated such classics as Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and Animal Farm. His books include the studies of Sigmund Freud and Leonardo da Vinci, while with Hunter S. Thompson he collaborated on the birth of GONZO journalism with his classic illustrations for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

For No Good Reason is a true labour of love for husband and wife team director, Charlie Paul and producer Lucy Paul.  It is a visually stunning ouevre which show that behind the incredible art is an even more incredible and unexpectedly most and gentle man.

Charlie Paul started with a germ of an idea asking his hero tentatively if he would be interested in having a camera erected above his desk to ultimately make a film about his life and work. Ralph agreed and gradually the Paul’s realised that what they were capturing was the essence of genius and creation. Johnny Depp came on board to add a thread of narrative through a landscape where Steadman’s work explodes onscreen between expletives shared in some of the more painful moments between Hunter and Ralph, and the joy of watching Ralph’s art come to life in animation and freeze-frame photography. Images are literally born before your very eyes.

There will be a special screening of For No Good Reason at the Curzon Soho on Friday 30 May, 6.30pm followed by a Q&A with Ralph Steadman, Charlie Paul (Director) and Lucy Paul (Producer). http://www.curzoncinemas.com/films/details/2233/for-no-good-reason-qa-ralph-steadman-charlie-paul–lucy-paul/

For No Good Reason will also screen at the White Space, 5 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7HY on 31st May. Tickets available through http://billetto.co.uk/for-no-good-reason

An associated exhibition of Ralph Steadman’s work will be shown at White Space, London from 30 May – 4 June (free admission/open daily).

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