Acknowledged as one of founding fathers of American independent cinema with films such as M*A*S*H, McCabe and Mrs. Miller and Short Cuts, Robert Altman left an indelible mark, not merely on the evolution of his art form, but also on the western Zeitgeist.
Ron Mann’s documentary explores and celebrates the epic fifty-year redemptive journey of a genuine maverick, an artist whose rebellious tendencies ensured he would never truly gain acceptance into Hollywood’s inner sanctum. With his dark humor, chaotic choreography, overlapping and sometimes murky dialogue, multi-layered storylines, iconoclastic characters and omniscient cinematography, the director created a film style and language all of his very own.
Altmanesque is a characteristic now regularly used in connection with filmmakers including Alan Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson. For Bob Balaban, Altmanesque means ‘never having to say you’re sorry’. Comprised of interviews with regular collaborators, archive material and film clips, Altman offers a dynamic and heartfelt mediation on an artist whose expression, passion and appetite knew few bounds.