Culture vultures rejoice—the Movie Movie Life Is Art Festival returns this month, showcasing films about art, music, fashion and more. Here are our top picks from this year’s festival, which runs from August 24 to September 30

1. Whitney

Tatler Asia
Above A young Whitney Houston in a still from Kevin Macdonald's documentary

The highs and lows of Whitney Houston’s life have been pored over in thousands of articles, books and documentaries, but—as this film shows—there’s still more to learn.

Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald spoke to Houston’s nearest and dearest friends and family for this film, giving new insights into her drug addiction, rocky relationships and some of her most famous songs.

There are multiple screenings of Whitney. Find out more and buy tickets here

2. Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist           

Tatler Asia
Above Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood walks the runway in a still from the documentary Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist

Eccentric, passionate and grumpy is how fashion designer Vivienne Westwood comes across in this critically-acclaimed documentary about her life and work. “Do we have to cover every bit of it, you know?” she asks at the beginning. “It’s so boring to say all this.”

Luckily for fans, director Lorna Tucker persuades Westwood to cover a fair bit of her life—and it’s not at all boring.

Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist is being screened at 5:40pm on September 16 at Movie Movie Cityplaza. Buy tickets here

See also: 5 Fashion Documentaries On Netflix To Watch On A Rainy Day

3. My Dear Art

Tatler Asia
Above A still from My Dear Art

What drives people to obsessively collect art? Why collect art instead of visiting a museum? Why has the art market boomed in Asia over the past decade?

These are just a few of the questions Taiwanese director Hao-Hsuan Hsu attempts to answer in this ambitious documentary, which sees him visit art fairs, galleries and the homes of collectors in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Italy and the UK. A must-see for art lovers who want a glimpse into the lives of leading collectors.

There are multiple screenings of My Dear Art. Find out more and buy tickets here

4. Big Time

Tatler Asia
Above Bjarke Ingels sketching in a still from Big Time

“Hedonistic sustainability” is Danish architect Bjarke Ingels’ catchphrase for his innovative buildings, many of which challenge the idea that people have to make sacrifices to live sustainably.

A behind-the-scenes look at Ingels’ work on an upcoming skyscraper in New York and multiple other projects, this film will appeal to both architectural aficionados and more casual viewers.

There are multiple screenings of Big Time. Find out more and buy tickets here

See also: 5 Stunning Eco-Luxury Homes Around The World

5. Kusama: Infinity

Tatler Asia
Above Kusama: Infinity looks back at some of Kusama's early, performance-based work

Yayoi Kusama is now one of the world’s most famous artists, hailed by critics and the public alike and loved for both her engaging art and her bobbed red wig and distinctive personal style.

But it hasn’t always been this way. This documentary charts Kusama’s rise from a penniless artist struggling with mental health in New York in the 1950s and '60s to the global phenomenon she is today. 

There are multiple screenings of Kusama: Infinity. Find out more and buy tickets here

For ticketing enquiries, please visit moviemovie.com.hk

See also: 10 Hong Kong Events You Can't Miss In August

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