
Martha: A Picture Story
12A TBC

This vibrant documentary looks back at Martha Cooper's life from her days of photojournalism to documenting New York graffiti and street art culture in the 1970s and '80s. It tells the tale of how she became an unlikely and humble heroine with god like status to many street artists.
Martha, and fellow subway train photographer Henry Chalfont, joined forces to put together a collection of their photos into a book ‘Subway Art’ which even though this was hard to obtain, was copied by street artists and passed along soon becoming the most beloved book within that scene and known as 'The Graffiti Bible'.
Best Documentary winner at 2019's Sydney Film Festival, the film documents the changing future of graffiti and photography. It illustrates the importance of observing, understanding and documenting the world, finding your passion in life, embracing it fully and being persistent in the pursuit of art and photography.
This screening is in collaboration with Feel Good Film Club Experience who will be hosting an introduction, workshop and photography competition.
Photography competition
If the film makes you want to get snapping some photos, then take pictures of the cinema or graffiti in the area and send them to info@hpph.co.uk with the subject 'HPPH photography competition' by midnight on Fri 08 Aug to be in with a chance of winning some cool prizes.
Details
“You’re going to fall in love with Martha Cooper, one of the most ebullient subjects ever to be captured in a documentary.”
Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com
“The vibrant, absolutely vital documentary 'Martha: A Picture Story' introduces audiences to the now-septuagenarian photographer as she’s suiting up for a night out, strapping on a backpack with her camera to tag along with taggers, keen for the perfect shot and to avoid getting caught.”
Kimber Myers, Los Angeles Times