Hopper: An American Love Story

Anticipated January 2024 | WNET’s American Masters

FILM SYNOPSIS

His work is the most recognizable art in America. Iconic, universally praised, synonymous with familiar themes of solitude, regret, isolation – a counter-narrative to the American Dream of growth and prosperity. Who was Edward Hopper? And how did a struggling illustrator create such a bounty of notable work? His influence is everywhere in the 21st Century. But we know little about Hopper’s own influences. This new, insightful film takes a deep look into Hopper’s art, his life, and his impact today. Hopper is the rare artist whose work is accessible to both the casual and critical observer. His art speaks to modern American life, though his own life defies easy categorization. Success is elusive at the start of Hopper’s career. He becomes an illustrator for a New York ad agency. His parents worry about him making enough money to support himself. Hopper sells his first painting, Sailing, for $250. He doesn’t sell another for 11 years. Eventually, though, his career takes off, with his wife Josephine as his primary model and business partner – a contentious yet productive marriage.

FILM TEAM

Phil Grabsky is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. With a career spanning 25 years, Phil and his company Seventh Art Productions make films for cinema, television and DVD. His biggest project to date is the creation of a unique documentary series, “Exhibition on Screen,” that brings major art exhibitions – and the stories of both the galleries and the artists-to a worldwide audience. Michael Cascio, Co-Director With four Emmys, two Oscar nominations and a “Producer of the Year” award, Michael Cascio has executive experience in successful documentary production and programming. As SVP/EVP at A&E, Animal Planet, MSNBC and National Geographic Channel, he created and supervised many award-winning and notable documentaries: Landmark specials such as Inside 9/11, The ’90s: The Last Great Decade?, Restrepo, The Farm and Titanic: Death of A Dream. As Executive Producer and CEO of M&C Media LLC, his recent independent documentaries include HBO’s At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal, which received the prestigious TV Academy Honors and was nominated for Best Documentary Emmy, and Emmy-nominated PBS films Going To War and Munich ’72 and Beyond.