BEYOND BIZARRE, THE LIFE & ART OF JOHN WILLIE

BEYOND BIZARRE, LA VIE & L'OEUVRE DE JOHN WILLIE

By Guillaume PIN, Charlotte GRONDIN

PISTOLEROS - as PROD

Documentary - Completed 2024

An intimate portrait of John Willie, the visionary artist behind Bizarre and Gwendoline—bondage pioneer, sexual freedom defender, and enduring icon whose provocative work still shapes art and culture today.

Festivals
& Awards

L'Étrange Festival 2024
Sélection parallèle
Midwest Weirdfest 2025
Best International Film
LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival 2025
Official Selection
    • Year of production
    • 2024
    • Genres
    • Documentary, True Story, LGBT
    • Countries
    • FRANCE
    • Languages
    • FRENCH, ENGLISH, ITALIAN
    • Duration
    • 86 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Guillaume PIN, Charlotte GRONDIN
    • Producer(s)
    • Beatrice BOROWIEC (Pistoleros)
    • Synopsis
    • Iconoclastic and endearing, John Willie, sometimes nicknamed the "Rembrandt of the Pulp", is the creator of Bizarre magazine and Gwendoline, the mythical high-heeled damsel in distress.

      A brilliant artist, he was, and remains, the world's greatest bondage and fetish drawer. A free spirit, he was also - and this is less well known - a fervent defender of sexual freedom. This film invites you to discover his work and meet the man whose incredible life, talent and modernity continue to influence many artists and creators.