HBO Documentary Films Acquires ‘Master of Light’, Acclaimed Doc On Gifted Artist Who Painted Behind Bars

deadline.com:

HBO Documentary Films has acquired worldwide television and streaming rights to Master of Light, the SXSW award-winning film about artist George Anthony Morton, who honed his exceptional talent while serving a prison sentence.Dutch filmmaker Rosa Ruth Boesten directed the documentary, which is produced by Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams, Ilia Roomans, and Anousha Nzume.“I learned about George through a mutual friend who met George in New York and told me about his story,” Boesten told Deadline at SXSW, where her film premiered, winning the Grand Jury Prize for documentary. “He just had a New York Times article that came out and I read about the story and was just blown away by his artwork.

And that’s when I reached out, and that’s where it started for me.”Morton “is a classical painter who spent ten years in federal prison for dealing drugs.

While incarcerated, he nurtured his craft and unique artistic ability,” HBO Documentary Films noted. “Since his release, he is doing everything he can to defy society’s unlevel playing field and tackle the white-dominant art world.

Now, he is on a journey back to his hometown of Kansas City, where he tries to heal the broken relationship with his mother and paint family members in the style of the Dutch Old Masters.”The release from HBO Documentary Films adds, “Going back home forces George to face his past in his quest to rewrite the script of his life and discover the contribution of African influences to the realist tradition.”In a statement, Boesten commented, “As a first-time director, I am overwhelmed with excitement to work with such an acclaimed company as HBO Documentary Films.