Charlie Paul's documentary about the life and work of Ralph Steadman was made over the course of 15 years and is a study of the ambition that drives an artist. Actor Johnny Depp visits Steadman in his studio to find out what makes him tick and discuss his friendship and collaborations with Hunter S Thompson Featuring contributions by Terry Gilliam and Richard E Grant
The satirical artist Ralph Steadman has worked with William S Burroughs and on Rolling Stone magazine, while his distinctive calligraphy is splattered across the counterculture comedy Withnail & I. But Steadman’s visceral, inky scrawls are chiefly associated with Hunter S Thompson’s “gonzo” travelogue Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
At his Kent studio, the artist opens up to a chain-smoking Johnny Depp about his fascinating career, inner demons and urge to change the world, offering an insight into his stream-of-consciousness modus operandi.
It’s an intensely vibrant visual feast, mildly marred by a soundtrack that’s often too lightweight to complement the art’s exquisite chaos.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Ralph Steadman | Ralph Steadman |
| Johnny Depp | Johnny Depp |
| Leonardo da Vinci | Patrick Godfrey |
| Terry Gilliam | Terry Gilliam |
| Bruce Robinson | Bruce Robinson |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Charlie Paul |
