Opens May 24 | At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. government was determined to fight Communism with culture. The Venice Biennale, the world’s most influential art exhibition, became a proving ground in 1964. Alice Denney, Washington insider and friend of the Kennedys, recommends Alan Solomon, a curator making waves with trailblazing art, to organize the U.S. entry. Together with Leo Castelli, a New York art dealer, they embark on a daring plan to make Robert Rauschenberg—an artist yet to be taken seriously with his combinations of junk off the street and images from pop culture—the winner of the Grand Prize. Deftly pulling off maneuvers that could have come from a Hollywood thriller, the American team leaves the international press crying foul and Rauschenberg questioning the politics of nationalism that sent him there. (Zeitgeist Films) Film Center exclusive. 

Awards & Nominations

Official Selection - DOC NYC, Rome Film Festival, São Paulo International Film Festival

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu