Watch Absolute Wilson

Absolute Wilson is a 2006 documentary film featuring the life and work of renowned avant-garde stage director and playwright Robert Wilson. The film was directed by Katharina Otto-Bernstein and produced by Herbert Kloiber. Absolute Wilson is a comprehensive exploration of the life and career of Wilson, featuring interviews with his colleagues, friends, and collaborators.

The film follows Robert Wilson from his humble beginnings in small-town Texas to his international success as a critically acclaimed stage director. The opening scenes detail Wilson's childhood, his love of storytelling, and his early experiences with art and theater. The film moves quickly through Wilson's early career, including his partnership with choreographer George Faison and his first major success, the groundbreaking production of Deafman Glance.

The majority of the documentary is dedicated to exploring Wilson's most iconic works, such as Einstein on the Beach, the epic opera he created with composer Philip Glass, and The CIVIL warS, a vast multimedia event that was commissioned for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Wilson's philosophy of "visual theater" is a recurring theme in the documentary, and many of his collaborators praise his ability to create provocative, imaginative imagery that transcends traditional narrative structures.

The film also delves into Wilson's collaborations with musicians and performers such as Lou Reed, Tom Waits, and William S. Burroughs. These collaborations, like much of Wilson's work, are marked by their offbeat, confrontational style and willingness to push boundaries. Wilson's commitment to experimentation is one of the documentary's central themes, and his influence on contemporary theater is celebrated by many of his colleagues and admirers.

The documentary also explores Wilson's personal life, including his relationships with his parents and his romantic partner of many years, artist and writer Christopher Knowles. Wilson's struggles with dyslexia and his unconventional approach to his work are addressed as well, offering insights into the man behind the creations.

Throughout the film, Wilson himself appears in interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. His distinctive voice and mannerisms provide an illuminating perspective on his own work, and his passion for theater and visual art is palpable. Wilson's influence on contemporary culture is unquestionable, and Absolute Wilson offers an in-depth look at the creative process of one of the most innovative minds in art and theater.

Overall, Absolute Wilson is a fascinating and engaging documentary that artfully weaves together interviews, archival footage, and excerpts from Wilson's productions. Through its exploration of Wilson's life and work, the film offers a window into the mind of a true visionary, whose artistic vision and passion continue to inspire and challenge audiences around the world.

Absolute Wilson is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 69.