"Never Look Away," by German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, takes its inspiration from the life and work of the celebrated German visual artist Gerhard Richter. Although the film itself is not a direct biopic and has not been certified by the artist, there are strong parallels to be found between the film and the artist's early period.

The film's plot takes the viewer through key moments in 20th century German history, reflecting Richter's experiences growing up during the Nazi era and living in both East and West Germany. Although the film takes creative liberties with the story, it incorporates elements of Richter's life, including his artistic development and the impact of historical events on his work, such as his period working in an advertising firm, making posters and signs by hand. As well as events such as Richter's move to West Germany, and his time at the Berlin Academy under the direction of Joseph Beuys.

Although the film takes creative liberties with the story, it incorporates elements of Richter's life

Richter is known for his varied styles, ranging from photorealism to abstraction, and his willingness to experiment with different techniques. Similarly, in the film, Kurt's artistic journey reflects a range of influences and styles, showing the evolution of an artist responding to his experiences and the world around him. The mixture of styles is shown in the film through the Berlin Academy, as the place where all the avant-garde movements of the 1950s developed, creating a parallel with the art world of the time.

Beyond the similarities with Gerhard Richter, some of the elements that make this film interesting are the character of Professor Carl Seeband, father of Kurt's girlfriend. This character serves as a key figure that connects us to the timeline of the plot and the atrocities committed by the German Nazis, providing insight into the artist's life. Professor Seeband is portrayed as a character with dark sides, who does not hesitate to do anything to control the world around him.

Although she only appears in the first part of the film, Kurt's sister is also intriguing, marking the entire film due to her mental health issues. The film explores how the Nazis dealt with these problems and the consequences of the sister's death.

"Never Look Away" offers a fictionalized view of the artist's life and the cultural and historical context that shaped his work

"Never Look Away" offers a fictionalized view of the artist's life and the cultural and historical context that shaped his work. It is a compelling exploration of the artistic process and the interplay between personal experiences and creative expression. If you enjoy Richter's art, watching the film can provide you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the complexities that influenced his work.