Resident of Orinda for 25 years, filmmaker Julie Rubio screens her film about artist Tamara de Lempicka at the Orinda Theatre on Jan. 7. Here, Rubio displays a collection of books about the artist, whose works are experiencing a resurgence of interest.
Julie Rubio has called Orinda home for 25 years, but her latest film is about Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka, whose career included time spent in Poland, Paris and the United States.
Rubio’s “The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival,” screens at the Orinda Theatre on Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m., with a Q&A to follow. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/41eUEr0.
The film also will be shown at the de Young Museum on Jan. 11 at 1 p.m., where the enormously popular de Lempicka exhibit (famsf.org/exhibitions/tamara-de-lempicka) is on display.
Through a blend of archival footage and new discoveries, Rubio’s documentary offers an in-depth look at de Lempicka’s life and groundbreaking career, set against the backdrop of a male-dominated art world. “The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival” premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival to sold-out shows and continued its success with additional sold-out screenings at San Francisco’s iconic Roxie Theater.
Highlights of the film, which is getting rave reviews, include never-before-seen 8mm home movies, shared by the de Lempicka family, which add an intimate layer to the story. Groundbreaking documents further reveal her complex identity.
For example, early in her career, de Lempicka adopted the masculine pseudonym “Lempitzki” to navigate this world, underscoring the gender barriers she faced.
Commentary from de Lempicka’s great-granddaughter Marisa de Lempicka and Tony-nominated Broadway star Eden Espinosa, who portrays the artist in the musical “Lempicka,” offers a deeply personal perspective on the artist.
Adding to the depth of Rubio’s documentary, actress Anjelica Huston recounts her experiences playing de Lempicka in the immersive theater piece “Tamara the Living Movie.” Huston shares anecdotes about wearing de Lempicka’s jewelry, a gift from Jack Nicholson on the night she won her Oscar for “Prizzi’s Honor” (1985).
An award-winning Latina filmmaker, Rubio is also the President for Women in Film SF Bay Area (wifsfba.org/) and the founder of East Meets West Productions. For over 20 years, Rubio has mentored local filmmakers, shaping the independent film industry with her expertise.
Her feature film, “Too Perfect” (2011), which she wrote, directed and produced, was filmed at Theatre Square in Orinda. Her award-winning film “East Side Sushi” (2014) also screened at the Orinda Theatre.
“In a world often marked by pain and uncertainty, de Lempicka’s life and art stand as a testament to resilience and transformation,” said Rubio. “Her work offers a blueprint for survival, healing and finding peace amidst the volatility of an ever-changing world.”
