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From humble immigrant roots to pop art royalty, this intimate documentary blends family archives, expert insights, and unpublished letters to reveal Warhol’s complex inner world and lasting influence.

SESSIONS

Tue 14 Oct 7:30pm ncp

Sun 19 Oct 7:30pm ncp
Wed 22 Oct 1:00pm ncp

DIRECTOR

Ľubomír Ján Slivka

WITH

Andy Warhol (archival) • Family interviews • Art experts • Colleagues • Archives

1h 38m • Rated E • Documentary, Biography, Art & Culture • USA / Slovakia • Language: English & Slovak with captions

ncp - no complimentary passes

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CRITICS ROUNDUP

Andy Warhol: American Dream (2023), directed by Ľubomír Ján Slivk with Petra Basic Slivková writing, is a Slovakian-made documentary that traces the journey of Andy Warhol from his immigrant roots in Miková, Slovakia, through his rise in New York as a defining figure of Pop Art. The film runs about 110 minutes and seeks to explore not just the public persona of Warhol, but the quieter, less-seen aspects of his life — his family, heritage, internal conflicts, and the tensions between his fame and his identity.

Critics have praised the documentary’s intimacy and its use of archival material, family interviews, and expert commentary to humanize Warhol rather than mythologize him. Reviewers note that the immigrant story framing offers fresh perspective — it situates Warhol’s ambition and aesthetic in relation to his humble origins, rather than treating him solely as a celebrity-artist icon. Many appreciate how the film brings out Warhol’s vulnerabilities: his ties back to family, his shy side, and the tensions behind the flamboyance.

On the other hand, several critiques point out that the documentary doesn’t take enough risks in its form or analysis. Some find the pacing uneven — with a slower start and an impression of building toward deeper revelations that never fully arrive. Others feel the film sometimes leans toward hagiography: more admiration than interrogation, less tension in exploring controversies or contradictions.

Overall, Andy Warhol: American Dream is well regarded as a warm yet contemplative portrait that adds layers to what many already think they know about Warhol. It may not flip his image entirely or delve deeply into every controversy, but it succeeds in making him more human. For those familiar with his myth, the film provides new textures; for newcomers, it offers a solid, emotionally resonant introduction that balances the art, the spectacle, and the person behind it.

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