''On the Waterfront'', 1954 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''On the Waterfront'', 1954 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''On the Waterfront'', a 1954 American crime drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando. The film is widely regarded as a classic of American cinema and is known for its powerful performances and its exploration of corruption, ethics, and redemption.
The story is set in the gritty docks of Hoboken, New Jersey, and follows the life of Terry Malloy, played by Marlon Brando, a longshoreman who becomes entangled in the corrupt and oppressive practices of the waterfront labor unions. Terry's life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses a murder ordered by the corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly, portrayed by Lee J. Cobb. Terry's conscience is awakened, leading him to confront the moral dilemma of testifying against the corrupt union and risking his life in the process.
Marlon Brando's performance as Terry Malloy is iconic and is often cited as one of the greatest acting performances in film history. Brando's portrayal of Terry is characterized by his raw and emotionally charged acting style, which brought a new level of realism to Hollywood cinema. His performance humanizes Terry as a complex and conflicted character torn between loyalty and a desire for redemption.
The film also features outstanding performances from the supporting cast, including Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle, Karl Malden as Father Barry, and Rod Steiger as Charley Malloy, Terry's brother. These performances contribute to the film's depth and emotional impact.
"On the Waterfront" explores themes of corruption, betrayal, the struggle for justice, and the power of individual conscience. It serves as a commentary on the social and political issues of its time, reflecting the influence of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the dilemma faced by individuals in a corrupt system.
The film received widespread critical acclaim and was a major success at the Academy Awards, winning eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Elia Kazan, and Best Actor for Marlon Brando. The film's memorable score by Leonard Bernstein and its striking cinematography also contributed to its acclaim.
"On the Waterfront" remains a classic of American cinema and a significant work in the career of Marlon Brando. It is celebrated for its powerful storytelling, memorable performances, and its enduring impact on the cinematic landscape.
About the artist:
Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.
After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.
In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati
The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:
"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."
From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.
To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.
Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.
He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.
To see more of his posters search by his last name.
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April 23rd, 2021
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