Without Gorky

Without Gorky is a deeply personal, sensitive and thoughtful documentary film that was released in 2011. This inspiring and emotional narrative centers on the life and legacy of the renowned Armenian-American artist Arshile Gorky (1904 - 1948) as viewed through the eyes of his grandchildren, Natasha Gorky and Maro Gorky.

The film is a moving look into their quest to understand the enigmatic and influential artist that was their grandfather and the circumstances of his tragic suicide. Arshile Gorky was a seminal figure in the story of abstract expressionism, known for his complex, enigmatic paintings and for his role as tutor to painting greats such as Willem de Kooning. However, despite Gorky's fame in the art world, the painful and often conflicted history of his personal life, particularly his suicide, remained a mystery for his lineage.

Without Gorky is directed by the talented Cosima Spender, Gorky's granddaughter, who by delving into her grandfather's life is also attempting to better comprehend the profound influence his life and death had on her own family history. The narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of captivating archive materials, Gorky’s delightful drawings, family tapes, interviews, letters, and eye-catching works of art.

The exploration leads into the depths of one family's memories, traumas, and intimate moments, as Natasha and Maro try to reconcile with the figure of their grandfather, his lauded art, and the impact of his untimely end. Themes of generational trauma, memory, and the invincible power of art for self-expression are particularly dominant.

The film paints a heartfelt portrayal of Gorky’s wife, Mougouch, who fell in love with Gorky at a young age, fascinated by his ardent passion for art. She was devoted to his work, and even after his death, persevered to guard his artistic legacy. Nevertheless, as Natasha and Maro discover in their journey, her life after Gorky’s demise wasn’t without struggle. The exploration into Mougouch's later years and her relationship with her daughters proves a profound and stirring insight.

One of the great strengths of Without Gorky is the honesty depicted in the Gorky family's experiences. Spender does not shy away from portraying the challenging dynamics and interactions that are often hidden within families. The conversations often grow into emotional tugs-of-war about love, loss, fatigue, bitterness, pain, and resolution–all of which deepen the viewers understanding of not only Arshile Gorky, but also his family's circuitous struggle to carve out a life in his shadow.

Running parallel to this depiction of the splintered Gorky family, the film provides details about Gorky's journey as an artist and the influential place he holds in modern art history. His brilliance as an artist and the depth of his influence on American abstract art becomes an echoing undercurrent throughout the film. Without Gorky thereby serves as both a tribute to Arshile Gorky's art and a testament to his family’s perseverance.

Without Gorky is more, however, than just a family’s intimate journey to confront past tragedies and hurts. It poetically intertwines them with a sophisticated understanding of art, history, and identity. It's a film that moves beyond the boundaries of biography and art history documentary and graduates into being a powerful narrative about healing, collective memory, and the enduring impact of trauma.

With its evocative soundtrack, stunning cinematography, compelling narrative and intimate portrayals of its protagonists, Without Gorky is a peeling back of historical layers. It is a discovery of shared histories, the power of untold stories and the healing that can come with understanding one’s past. The journey of the Gorky family in Without Gorky ultimately leaves the viewer with an appreciation of the resilience of the human spirit and a greater love and understanding of the power of art to help process pain, life, and death. Without Gorky is a passionate reflection on family, memory, grief, looming presence, and artistic legacy. It's a haunting film that engrosses and enlightens its viewers even as it leaves them with more questions to ponder.