Docmakers
Master of Light
Master of Light
Master of Light
Master of Light
Master of Light
Master of Light

Master of Light

2022 • 84m

George Anthony Morton is a classical painter who spent ten years in federal prison for dealing drugs. While incarcerated, he nurtured his craft and unique artistic ability. Since his release, he is doing everything he can to defy society's unlevel playing field and tackle the white-dominant art world.
Now, he is on a journey back to his hometown of Kansas City, where he tries to heal the broken relationship with his mother-- who's in-and-out of jail-- and paint family members in the style of the Dutch Old Masters.
Going back forces George to face his past in his quest to rewrite the script of his life and discover the contribution of African influences to the realist tradition.

INDIEWIRE / Robert Daniels
“Rosa Ruth Boesten’s harrowing and spellbinding documentary “Master of Light” which won the Grand Jury Award for documentary feature at SXSW — refracts the film’s title from an aesthetic ethos to a way of life.”

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3 Emmy nominaties voor ‘Master of Light’

3 Emmy nominations for 'Master of Light'
29-09-2023

Great news, our documentary Master of Light was nominated for 3 Emmy Awards: Best direction… >> read more Great news, our documentary Master of Light was nominated for 3 Emmy Awards: Best direction Rosa Ruth Boesten, best cinematography Jurgen Lisse and best editing Ephraim Kirkwood! 'Master of Light' is a One Story Up and Docmakers production available on HBO Max. The team at the ceremony, left to right: Geoff Martz, Anousha Nzume, Roger Ross Williams, Rosa Ruth Boesten, Jurgen Lisse, Ilja Roomans, George Anthony Morton, Ephraim Kirkwood, Enat Sidi.

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‘Master of Light’ wint de Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award

'Master of Light' wins the Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award
13-01-2023

'Master of Light' by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award. >> read more 'Master of Light' by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award.

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‘Master of Light’ wint Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary op Denver Film Festival 2022

'Master of Light' wins Maysles Brothers Award for best Documentary op Denver Film Festival 2022
28-11-2022

Jury rapport: “This was a tough deliberation as many of the films were on each juror’s… >> read more Jury rapport: “This was a tough deliberation as many of the films were on each juror’s favorites list. One film stood out for its beauty, its complexity, and its bravery in addressing difficult issues such as addiction and incarceration. We were also moved by the familial relationships and generational trauma portrayed in MASTER OF LIGHT.”

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‘Master of Light’ op HBO Max

'Master of Light' on HBO Max
02-11-2022

The documentary 'Master of Light' by Rosa Ruth Boesten premiers on HBO Max on 16 November 2022.… >> read more The documentary 'Master of Light' by Rosa Ruth Boesten premiers on HBO Max on 16 November 2022. Watch the trailer.

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‘Master of Light’ wint de Filmprijs van de Stad Utrecht / Debuutcompetitie op het Nederlands Film Festival 2022

'Master of Light' wins the Film prize of the City of Utrecht / Debut competition at the Netherlands Film Festival 2022
26-09-2022

Jury rapport: "The jury can describe this film in five words: What an incredibly wonderful… >> read more Jury rapport: "The jury can describe this film in five words: What an incredibly wonderful film. This film does everything a film is supposed to do. The story shows that regardless of your situation and environment, there should always be hope for a way out. The jury thinks that this is not the last award Rosa will receive for this film and hopes to see more of her films in the future."

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‘Master of Light’ wint  McBaine Documentary Feature Award op San Francisco International Film Festival 2022

'Master of Light' wins McBaine Documentary Feature Award at San Francisco International Film Festival 2022
02-05-2022

Master of Light by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Best Documentary Feature Award at the San Francisco… >> read more Master of Light by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Best Documentary Feature Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFilm)!
Jury rapport:

“For its incredibly moving examination of an individual on the path to redemption, for its thoughtful look at the impact of the cycle of addiction and incarceration that can nonetheless lead to an outcome of hope, and for creating a gorgeously stunning portrait of life captured during a period of healing and grace, the Documentary Jury of the San Francisco International Film Festival awards the McBaine Documentary Feature Award to Master of Light.”

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‘Master of Light’ wint Best Documentary Feature op SXSW 2022

'Master of Light' wins Best Documentary Feature at SXSW 2022
23-03-2022

The documentary Master of Light by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Best Documentary Feature Award… >> read more The documentary Master of Light by Rosa Ruth Boesten wins the Best Documentary Feature Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) in Austen, Texas.

Jury rapport:
“In both substance and form, Master of Light is a gift. The earnest and gifted painter George Anthony Morton embeds viewers in his world as he struggles to render his mother — both on the canvas and in his psyche. Boesten disabuses us of static tropes about America’s merciless drug war and about contemporary art. With astonishing intimacy, the film’s visuals build an artful bridge between two- and three-dimensional realms that are deeply rooted and utterly transcendent. Put this painting of film in a museum, next to a Rembrandt and a Morton.”