Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage 2026

Overview

Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage is a documentary film released on October 8, 2026. Directed by Deborah Riley Draper, the film stars Romare Bearden, Denzel Washington, and Usher. The documentary has a runtime of one hour and twenty-four minutes.

As an athlete, artist, and activist, Romare Bearden defied boundaries placed on Black men of his generation. He partied with James Baldwin in Paris, composed hit songs, and channeled his memories into powerful collages celebrating Black life that changed contemporary art. He challenged social injustice and broke down barriers in art, culminating in a vibrant artistic legacy that inspires and empowers artists, dancers, and musicians. In his lifelong fight to forge a Black identity on and off the canvas, Bearden challenged cultural gatekeepers. The film traces the unseen odyssey of one of America's greatest artists, moving from Harlem to Paris, and from Jim Crow to Civil Rights, as he used art, community, and collective action.