Hikayat is hosting its annual ArtDoc Film Festival as part of this year’s Open Studios Penang, and showcases three fine documentaries that feature the work, the lives and critical reception of some of the most brilliant artists. The screening on Friday 16 October takes place at 7.30pm, while the other two start at 7.00pm.

Friday 16 October 2026 | 7.30pm 

War Paint: Women at War

Dir. Margy Kinmouth | UK | 2025 | 89 mins

(Documentary)

Margy Kinmonth’s feature documentary shines a light on the trailblazing role of women war artists, on the front lines round the world, championing the female perspective on conflict through art and asking: when it’s life or death, what do women see that men don’t? Traditionally a male domain, war art by women has been largely unrecognised. Until now. .. Culture breaks the taboo, crosses borders and tells truth to power.

★★★★★

‘The film is a survey of women war artists that speaks with clarity and insight to all points of that equation: women, art, and war, which is seen to follow humanity everywhere.’ — Danny Leigh, Financial Times

★★★★★

‘From British women during the London Blitz to those responding to contemporary conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and Sudan, the film takes a thoughtful look into how war has been experienced by those who have been previously excluded from the story.’ — Alexandra Kytka-Sharpe, Seen& Unseen

Saturday 17 October 2026 | 7.00pm 

Finding Vivian Maier

Dirs. John Maloof and Charlie Siskel | USA | 2014 | 84 mins

(Documentary)

Who is Vivian Maier? Now considered one of the 20th century’s greatest street photographers, Vivian Maier was a mysterious nanny who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her lifetime. Maier’s strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never-before-seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her.

★★★★★

‘It’s a big puzzle that the filmmakers piece together in an intriguing and engrossing way.’ — Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times

★★★★★

‘What we find out about Maier, revealed in self-portraits as a striking woman with a singular sense of self, is fascinating.’ — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Sunday 18 October 2026 | 7.00pm 

Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers 

Dir. David Bickerstaff | UK | 2024 | 90 mins

(Documentary)

The film focuses on Van Gogh’s revolutionary artistic style during his years in southern France, where he transformed reality into vibrant, symbolic imagery through a passionate creative process focused on storytelling in his paintings. Based on London National Gallery’s blockbuster exhibition.

★★★★★

‘The film does an admirable job in getting across the exhibition’s main point: that Van Gogh was far from the frenzied wildman of popular repute, but rather a complex, thoughtful figure who pored over every detail of his work.’ — Andrew Pulver, The Guardian

★★★★★

‘David Bickerstaff shows how Van Gogh broke away and found a voice that was distinctly his own, an array of techniques that left his former peers in the dust.’ — Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film

Screenings and refreshments | RM15. Advanced booking is essential

T: 04 261 9001 (Hikayat)

E: info@hikayat.asia