Cutie And The Boxer - 2013 - 6/10
Painter Ushio Shinohara left Japan for New York back in the 70’s for greater artistic freedom.
Though one of the best known painters of his generation, his reputation is still largely underground.
Doc shows him with his wife of 40 years, Noriko, an artist in her own right, whom he openly regards as the poorer artist.
“The lesser talent must serve the genius.” (One can only guess how she receives his dismissive slight.)
Couple of sequences show him creating his trademark boxing paintings, paint-soaked material slammed into lengthy canvases.
Cult fame notwithstanding, the couple exist precariously in a leaky home, with New York sized bills and debilitating old age looming.