Self-Portrait in 23 Rounds: a Chapter in David Wojnarowicz’s Life, 1989–1991

Political artist, painter, writer, performer and photographer David Wojnarowicz was one of the leading personalities of the 1980s New York art scene. In an interview conducted in 1989 by cultural theorist Sylvère Lotringer, Wojnarowicz speaks candidly about intimate moments in his life, the creative process, sexuality, AIDS, and coming to terms with one’s own death - at a time when society categorically refused to face up to the AIDS epidemic.

Directed by Marion Scemama, Self-Portrait in 23 Rounds: a Chapter in David Wojnarowicz’s Life, 1989–1991 leans on a strong ensemble — David Wojnarowicz — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2019.