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Recent press
Recent press
Bay Area Reporter, wins California journalism awards In film and TV writing/reporting, Division 5, arts contributor Brian Bromberger's piece, on "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and The Art of Survival' - Documentary explores a beautiful scandalous artistic life" By Brian Bromberger, about the documentary of de Lempicka, the lauded bisexual Art Deco painter whose work last year received its first major U.S. museum retrospective at the de Young in San Francisco.
In arts, news, and opinion, the Bay Area Reporter continues its award-worthy coverage. The longtime LGBTQ publication again received recognition in the annual California Journalism Awards from the California News Publishers Association.
IN TAMARA DE LEMPICKA’S most famous paintings from the 1920s, women with finger-wave curls and blunt flapper bobs wear gorgeously draped silk gowns, chic gloves, and sculptural hats. Instantly summoning the Art Deco era, her images are iconic.
But as a thorough new documentary about her life shows, these paintings were deeper than fashion or surface beauty. And there’s much more to the women she depicted than initially meets the eye. They’re sexually self-assured. Their gazes suggest a complexity, a defiance, or—as in her most famous self-portrait, behind the wheel of an emerald-green Bugatti—an iciness. Like the artist herself, the subjects are empowered, independent, and larger-than-life, often standing tall against the era’s new skyscrapers.
Hola.com - Retrospectivas y documentales devuelven a la actualidad a uno de los grandes nombres del arte del siglo XX. La experta en filosofía y apasionada del arte Elena Cué traza el perfil de Tamara de Lempicka, la icónica artista que sigue seduciéndonos con su libertad, talento y sensualidad.
Aspen Daily News - “The Art of Survival” chronicles the life story of the artist Tamara de Lempicka. The Polish born artist combined neo-classicism and modernity to create a style that has earned her the reputation as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, despite the fact she is not well known in the United States.
Message from the director: "Thank you, Aspen News, for an absolutely brilliant article! Experience the remarkable film that redefined art history and transformed a family’s legacy."
PaperCity - An Inside Look at a Houston Blockbuster and One of the Creative Stories Of The Year.
The rediscovery of Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka (1894 to 1980) is the art story of the year.
"This year has been Tamara de Lempicka’s year—and it’s far from over. Two thousand and twenty-five will see the New York debut of the new documentary, The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival, at the 34th Jewish Film Festival.
Rather than focusing on fast women and fashionable parties, director Julie Rubio’s film, five years in the making, shares the harrowing realities behind Lempicka’s glamor magic. It marks the first feature film dedicated to the world’s third-most expensive female artist.
Even after a banner year like 2024, critics still struggle to take Lempicka seriously. Rubio and her collaborators believe in the substance beneath Lempicka’s style." (Vittoria Benzine)
Message from the director: Thank you, Artnet, and the brilliant Vittoria Benzine, for your extraordinary talent and razor-sharp insight. Your words illuminate Tamara de Lempicka’s story with unparalleled depth and elegance.
Reviews
Reviews
KPBS Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando previews the 35th Annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival, including "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival." Click the link above or watch here to see what she has to say.
Beth 2.mp4.MOVNora Lee Mandel is a member of New York Film Critics Online. Thank you Nora Mandel & Films Mavens Nest, for including us on your top recommendation list of best documentaries for 2025! Our film “The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival” is receiving incredible praise!
The accolades keep rolling in and we are so appreciative! This is just the beginning—our journey to bring Tamara de Lempicka’s groundbreaking story to the world is only getting started. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, and thank you all for your unwavering support.
Watch this review with Tim Sika @TheAfterPartyLive on YouTube
Watch this review with Tim Sika @TheAfterPartyLive on YouTube
East Meets West Productions is so grateful for the rave review Tim Sika gave "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival!" Tim's thoughtful insights and passion for the film shine through as he speaks about it. His review not only highlights the film’s artistic and historical significance but also brings to light the intricate layers of resilience and creativity that define Tamara’s story. We deeply appreciate Tim's support and are thrilled that he connected with the film on such a profound level. His feedback not only motivates us but also amplifies our commitment to telling stories that inspire and provoke thought. Big thanks to Tim Sika for his exceptional review and for sharing our film with his audience.
Rev. Chris Carpenter, the blog's resident film and stage critic, reviews "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka," reflecting fondly on his viewing experience as someone with no prior knowledge of the trailblazing artist. Carpenter says, "I came out a fan of the subject and wanting to learn more," stating that Lempicka's work captivates audiences worldwide.
Paula Farmer interviews Julie Rubio to talk about her documentary on Tamara de Lempicka and hear about the rich history of the artist's life, as well as all of her struggles that are shown in the film. Rubio discusses the 20 year-long commitment of creating this feature documentary that has now had its world premiere at Mill Valley Film Festival!
Listen in on this incredible interview and get ready to be captivated with acclaimed director Julie Rubio as she dives into the making of “The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival.” Learn more about the fascinating life of Tamara de Lempicka and the artistry that shaped her world.
Huge thanks to Rick Tittle for supporting independent film and sharing this amazing story with a national audience! Catch Rick’s show "Nationally Syndicated" on NPR, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, AFN, iTunes, stitcher, and American Forces.
KWMR Community Radio, hosted by Julie Motz, talks events in the arts and celebrates "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" as one of the highlights in the Mill Valley Film Festival. She hosts director Julie Rubio as a guest speaker on this episode - listen at the halfway point in the episode (around 1:27:00).
After the premiere at Mill Valley Film Festival, Boy Culture has reviewed the documentary as an inherently feminist and curious take on artist Tamara de Lempicka's life. We are so grateful for this review and Boy Culture's support of the film.
Andrea Chase interviews Director Julie Rubio on air with Public Radio Exchange (PRX) as they talk about how Rubio won the trust of Lempicka's family; why so many female curators appear in the film, and what distinguishes Lempicka on every level. They also get into the societal discomfort with women painting nudes, and how the artist managed to NOT go crazy despite all of the turmoil she went through.
The Bay Area Reporter shares the backstory behind bisexual icon Tamara de Lempicka and reviews the documentary as "visually stunning" and "captivating." Reporter Brian Bromberger writes that "Rubio portrays Lempicka ahead of her time," noting how the documentary communicates Tamara as a trailblazer in so many different ways.
More Press
More Press
This San Francisco Chronicle article points to the resurgence of Tamara de Lempicka in our society at the moment, with "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" at the forefront of it. Read more about this serendipitous time in The Chronicle by clicking the link above!
This Artnet article dives into the recent success of the documentary, "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" with its premiere at Mill Valley Film Festival in October of 2024 and its upcoming New York premiere at the New York Jewish Film Festival in February of 2025. The article discusses Julie Rubio's journey in making this film and how the documentary publicizes recently discovered documents that reveal more about Lempicka's heritage and story than has ever been known before.
KQED looks at the must-see films of the autumn season, emphasizing expected box office hits like "Saturday Night" and "Gladiator 2," acclaimed films like Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis," and Mill Valley Film Festival premiering movies like "The Order," and "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival." Start making your must-watch movie list now!
This local East Bay article from The Orinda News calls residents to check out Rubio's documentary at its showing at the Downtown Orinda Theater on January 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM. See the article for more details on how to get tickets! You don't want to miss seeing this documentary on the big screen.
Overdressed For Life highlights all of the upcoming screenings for the documentary for January 2025! Check out what this article has to say!
The San Francisco Chronicle puts a spotlight on the Tamara de Lempicka retrospective exhibit now open at the de Young Museum of San Francisco. Lempicka is finally being acknowledged for the talented and powerful artist she was through Rubio's documentary, the Broadway musical "Lempicka," and the newest de Young exhibit that is helping share her story and work with the world.
The Piedmont Exedra reports on Mill Valley Film Festival, noting important films premiering there such as "Conclave," "Democracy Noir," and "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival," amongst many other exciting films.
Bay Area's 7x7 discusses how Tamara de Lempicka is finally getting the spotlight she deserves - only about 100 years too late. Thanks to "The True Story of Tamara & The Art of Survival," amongst other Lempicka highlights right now, her story can be shared with the masses. 7x7 Social Club will be hosting a film preview talk with Director Julie Rubio and USF art history professor Paula Brinbaum on October 8!
Get tickets here.
Read this Eat, Drink, Films article to discover Director Julie Rubio's journey with the "Diva of Art Deco" from the moment she first encountered Lempicka's paintings to the long-awaited premiere of her documentary film. Her connection to Lempicka's story and tireless hard work to share it with the world makes this film truly a worthwhile watch. Check out this recent interview to learn more.
The Jewish News of Northern California lends a spotlight to a historical icon with a newly discovered Jewish identity, and how the documentary shares her true Jewish heritage with the world for the first time. While both the film premiere and the museum exhibition coincide with Yom Kippur, Mill Valley film festival added a second screening to accommodate those who celebrate the holy day.
Read about some of the most interesting films in the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival lineup including "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" in this San Francisco Chronicle article!
This list from Mill Valley Film Festival highlights our film as one of the must-see documentaries this year!
Richmond Sunset News shares the story behind the documentary and director Julie Rubio's connection to it, culminating in the premiere at Mill Valley Film Festival and a screening at a San Francisco art museum this coming January.
This independent news media outlet reviews the top films of the Mill Valley Film Festival this fall. The review invites Americans to celebrate artist Tamara de Lempicka as Europe has for years by encouraging people to watch this documentary and attend the retrospective exhibition of her work at the de Young Musuem.
The Art Hound digs into "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" by calling it a "fascinating and thoroughly-researched portrait of the glamorous 'Diva of Deco" whose modern portraits of women...are finally getting their due." See what else Art Hound has to say about the film and others in the link above.
East Bay's Diablo Magazine highlights the premiere of Rubio's documentary as one of the most worthwhile events in the arts this week, among many other local visual art, music, and cultural festivals going on.
This article from a San Francisco Bay Area magazine celebrates "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival" and local filmmaker Julie Rubio. Find dates and locations for the upcoming screenings in this read.
Anyone located in the Bay Area should check out this Marin Magazine article on exciting events in Marin County this fall, including the Mill Valley Film Festival featuring "The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival."
Eat, Drink, Films shares Tamara's life story and the secrets within it, as well as putting a spotlight on the documentary's premiere and the de Young exhibit that just opened in San Francisco. Read more about the uncovered secrets of Tamara de Lempicka in this article!
Press:
CineSOURCE: Rubio's New Feature on Painter Tamara de Lempicka
NPR: 'Lempicka' showcases a little-known queer artist's dazzling life
New York Times: Two Art Deco Icons Poised for a Renaissance
Vogue: Eden Espinosa on the Radical Vision of Tamara de Lempicka—And Her Grand Return to Broadway
Town & Country: Why is Tamara de Lempicka Everywhere Right Now?
NY1: New Broadway musical 'Lempicka' illuminates life of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka
Metropolitan Magazine: Art as a Means of Freedom: Interview with Californian Director Julie Rubio
Metropolitan Magazine Tamara De Lempicka had falsified her date of birth
ANSA Gioia Mori, the last mystery of Tamara de Lempicka falls
KQED Your Fall Movie Guide: Epic Visions, Personal Sagas, and Gladiators Galore
SF Arts Mill Valley Film Festival 47
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