''Touch of Evil'', 1958 - art by Boris Grinsson is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on February 9th, 2022.
''Touch of Evil'', 1958 - art by Boris Grinsson
A vintage French movie poster of ''Touch of Evil'', a classic film noir directed by Orson Welles and released in 1958. The movie is known for its... more
Title
''Touch of Evil'', 1958 - art by Boris Grinsson
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage French movie poster of ''Touch of Evil'', a classic film noir directed by Orson Welles and released in 1958. The movie is known for its dark and atmospheric cinematography, complex characters, and a gripping and morally ambiguous storyline.
The film is set in a seedy border town on the U.S.-Mexico border and revolves around a murder investigation. Charlton Heston plays the role of Miguel "Mike" Vargas, a Mexican drug enforcement officer who, along with his American wife, Susan (played by Janet Leigh), is on a honeymoon in the town. Their plans for a romantic getaway are disrupted when a car bomb explosion occurs, killing a wealthy American businessman and his mistress. Vargas becomes embroiled in the investigation as he tries to solve the case while dealing with corrupt local police officers and a shady underworld of crime.
Orson Welles plays the character of Hank Quinlan, the corrupt and overweight police captain who is in charge of the case. Quinlan is known for his unorthodox methods and his ability to obtain confessions through questionable means. As Vargas delves deeper into the investigation, he becomes increasingly suspicious of Quinlan's tactics and integrity.
"Touch of Evil" is notable for its innovative camera work and long, unbroken tracking shots, including a famous three-minute opening shot that takes the viewer through the streets of the border town and sets the tone for the film's dark and oppressive atmosphere. The film's visual style and use of shadows and light contribute to its film noir sensibility.
The movie explores themes of corruption, justice, racism, and the blurred lines between good and evil. It's a gripping and morally complex tale that keeps the audience on edge throughout its runtime. "Touch of Evil" is often regarded as one of the finest examples of film noir and is celebrated for its contribution to the genre. Orson Welles' performance as the morally ambiguous Hank Quinlan is particularly praised, as is the film's overall craftsmanship and storytelling.
About the poster artist:
Boris Grinsson (1907, Pskov, Russia, - 1999, Paris) was a designer of Russian origin who lived and worked in France. For about 30 years of his career, from the 1940s to the 1970s, he painted more than 2000 posters for the French cinema circuit, becoming extremely popular among film directors.
After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Estonia, where the family moved to escape the Russian Revolution, the artist reached Berlin and enrolled in Decorative Arts. Grinsson immediately started working in cinema at the UFA studios in Balberg and soon began designing posters for the Paramount and MGM. He worked among the many directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Buñuel, Billy Wilder, Alain Resnais, and Luchino Visconti.
His designs were also particularly controversial. In 1932 he drew a polemic caricature of Adolf Hitler. As a result, he was forced to move to Paris to escape the Nazi regime. Nevertheless, he continued to create the French versions of many famous movie posters in France.
Grinsson’s painting style for posters is characterized by his peculiar treatment of colors. If compared with the style of Italian designers, for example, his portraits appear somewhat schematic. Rather than using strong contrasts between light and shadow, Grinsson
modulated his figures with bold flat planes of colors and cool and defined outlines.
His posters often look like works of modern art rather than traditional sketches. Even the color palette is somewhat restricted, preferring different shades of yellows, greens, blues. However, the chromatic and formal restriction of Grinsson’s style is not to be seen as a limitation but as a legacy of the lithography technique that dominated German design until the early 1960s. A historical and peculiar element that distinguishes its very different and endless production.
Search “Grinsson” to see more of his art.
Uploaded
February 9th, 2022
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