Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present
A rigorous and intimate portrait of Marina Abramović turning a landmark MoMA retrospective into a test of artistic endurance, legitimacy, and human connection.
Overview
An artist confronts her past and the essence of her work in a groundbreaking exhibition.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- contemplative
- intimate
- serious
- museum visit inspiration
- quiet weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the documentary’s intimate access to Abramović, its compelling account of her performance practice, and the emotional force of her MoMA retrospective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Marina Abramović’s preparation for and participation in a demanding performance built around sustained bodily presence.
Abramović’s Museum of Modern Art retrospective is presented as the decisive milestone through which she confronts decades of skepticism about her work.
The MoMA retrospective and the recurring question of why Abramović’s work qualifies as art place museum authority and public legitimacy at the center.
The film foregrounds Abramović’s endurance-based practice and the concentrated exchange between performer and audience.
Films like Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present, and why
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
observational portrait of an influential artist, emphasizing creative process and artistic identity
The Price of Everything
intimate contemporary art documentary centered on a major exhibition and the artist’s public persona
Gerhard Richter Painting
reflective documentary portrait of an artist confronting legacy, process, and the meaning of art
Cunningham
performance-centered art documentary exploring endurance, embodiment, and the relationship between artist and audience
Movie Details
- Director
- Matthew Akers
- Release Date
- 2012-06-13
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (144)
Cast
- Marina Abramović
- Ulay
- Klaus Biesenbach
- David Balliano
- Chrissie Iles
- Arthur Danto
- David Blaine
- James Franco
- Orlando Bloom
- Josephine Decker
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present about?
- A rigorous and intimate portrait of Marina Abramović turning a landmark MoMA retrospective into a test of artistic endurance, legitimacy, and human connection.
- What is Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present.
- What did critics think of Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present?
- Critics broadly praised the documentary’s intimate access to Abramović, its compelling account of her performance practice, and the emotional force of her MoMA retrospective.
- Which films are like Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present?
- Films with a similar feel include Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, The Price of Everything, Gerhard Richter Painting, and Cunningham.
- How long is Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present?
- Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present?
- In United States, Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present streams on AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+.
