Hollywood Film on Diane Arbus Opens

NEW YORK—A new biography, a traveling exhibition and the Hollywood film Fur have put Diane Arbus back in the spotlight—35 years after the artist’s suicide, Newsday reports.

“One of the most influential figures in 20th-century photography, [Arbus] is assuming an admonishing stature over contemporary art and entertainment,” the newspaper states.

While Patricia Bosworth’s 2005 book Diane Arbus: A Biography focuses on the true details of the photographer’s life, Fur is subtitled “An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus” and stars Nicole Kidman as Arbus and Robert Downey Jr. as a “metaphorical amalgamation of the outsiders she photographed.” It opens Nov. 10. None of Arbus’ photographs are included in the film.

“I think [Arbus] would have loved it,” Bosworth said, “for its daring, courage, its difference—she was all about that.”

Newsday: Imagining Arbus' life - sans pictures