Movies like Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Basquiat tells the story of the meteoric rise of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat from homeless graffiti artist to star of the New York art scene. If the blending of art and biographical narrative in Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters intrigued you, Basquiat is another compelling portrait of a creative force.

Focusing on the relationship between authors Henry Miller, Anais Nin, and Miller's wife, June, the film is set in 1930s Paris. It shares Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters' interest in the complicated overlaps between literary innovation, personal identity, and sexuality.

The film presents the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a French editor who suffers from locked-in syndrome. Though not about an artist per se, it echoes Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters in its artistic approach to portraying a unique inner world and determination against adversity.

This film showcases the life of Cuban writer and poet Reinaldo Arenas, detailing his fight against governmental oppression and his quest for artistic and personal freedom. As with Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Before Night Falls is an evocative portrayal of an artist facing societal challenges.

Pollock stars Ed Harris as the iconic American painter Jackson Pollock, capturing his revolutionary artistic process and troubled personal life. Like Mishima, it's a study of the struggle between creativity and self-destruction within the life of a profoundly influential artist.

This film delves into the tumultuous life of Francis Bacon, played by Derek Jacobi, and his relationship with his lover and model. Echoing the artistic and personal themes in Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Love Is the Devil explores the interplay between an artist's work and his inner demons.

Frida, a biographical film about the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, combines a passionate love story with a portrayal of an artist's life. Similar to Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, it offers a dramatic and colorful exploration of an artist's complex existence and features visually striking scenes.