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Film Description
Taking its title from Hockney's 1967 painting of a dive into a swimming pool in California, A Bigger Splash is an important film in both art and gay cinema, showing Hockney at work and in his milieu after the break-up of his relationship with his lover and model, Peter Schlesinger. The visual recreations of his paintings also provides an invaluable look at his subjects.
Shot in London and California, the film offers a vivid snapshot of the early 70s art scene surrounding Hockney and features appearances by numerous legendary faces; there’s his
muse, the iconic fashion and textile designer Celia Birtwell with her husband, fashion designer Ossie Clark; art dealer John Kasmin, curator and art critic Henry Geldzahler and
Hockney’s loyal assistant Mo McDermott. Some of the ‘cast’ appear in Hockney’s paintings; Ossie Clark is seen taking his cat to the Tate Gallery to view Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy.
When released in cinemas in 1974, A Bigger Splash surprised audiences with explicit scenes of male lovemaking and nudity and it ran for over a year in London’s West End. Two insightful short films are also included; Love’s Presentation (1966) which captures the creation of Hockney’s Cavafy Etchings and Portrait of David Hockney (1972), a short portrait of Hockney in his home and studio.
