Hopper’s work is the most recognisable art in America – popular, praised, and mysterious. Countless painters, photographers, filmmakers and musicians have been influenced by his art – but who was he, and how did a struggling illustrator create such a bounty of notable work? This new film takes a deep look into Hopper’s art, his life, and his relationships. From his early career as an illustrator; his wife giving up her own promising art career to be his manager; his critical and commercial acclaim; and in his own words – this film explores the enigmatic personality behind the brush…

“Edward Hopper is one of history’s most influential artists, so often imitated by photographers, filmmakers, musicians and other artists. I was initially drawn in by the idea of a man who was cantankerous, monosyllabic, and unpleasant, but what I’ve learnt is that this is a very unfair summary of the man; that he is much more complicated and more grounded than that... he is a thoughtful artist and a master storyteller. I also discovered that you cannot understand Edward Hopper without understanding his wife, Jo. It is for this reason that, as research progressed, we changed the title to Hopper: An American love story, alluding both to his love of American architecture and landscapes, and also to his relationship with Jo. Hopper’s work was used more than any other artist during Covid, depicting isolation and loneliness, and his work is often interpreted in terms of the absence of crowds, companions, hustle and bustle etc. But I believe what Hopper was actually doing was showing people enjoying their solitude, taking a reflective moment of peace and quiet. His removal of crowds from his urban scenes allows us to focus on one person’s narrative. On a personal level, although I left when I was very young, I’m a native New Yorker, and this added a fascinating layer for me: exploring the world that my father would have inhabited, the world in which he met and married my mother – another American love story without which this film would not have been made. This film has been a four-year project, with Covid not helping, and I want to extend my gratitude to the museums and galleries whose passion and enthusiasm have been invaluable.” Phil Grabsky, Director

[Not Available in Italy, Spain, Poland]