90s Indie Gem 'I Shot Andy Warhol' Back in Theaters

A significant independent film from the 1990s, Mary Harron's "I Shot Andy Warhol," is back in theaters with a new 4K restoration, released by Janus Films. This unconventional biopic, which premiered in 1996, explores the life of Valerie Solanas, the feminist writer who attempted to assassinate Andy Warhol.

Lili Taylor's portrayal of Solanas is noted for humanizing the character without sentimentality, a trait director Harron values in her actors. Harron, who grew up around theater and began her directing career at the BBC, found her comfort and joy in working closely with performers. She discovered Taylor after seeing her in "Dogfight."

The film's visual style, a blend of documentary realism and elegant cinematography by Ellen Kuras, creates an immediate and intense viewing experience. Harron and Kuras, both with documentary backgrounds, were adept at adapting to the actors' discoveries, prioritizing a naturalistic yet poetic aesthetic.

Harron aimed to bring Solanas's story to light, challenging the notion that female protagonists must be conventionally heroic. She sought to offer complex female characters akin to those in male-directed films. The film's daring spirit reflects a broader era of openness in independent cinema, where diverse voices were encouraged and algorithms did not dictate creative choices.