“Celebrity portraiture demands reinvention.”
Kathy Ryan, NY Times photo editor

Kathy Ryan said she knew from the beginning that she did not want this year’s performers simply to sit for a portrait. From Tilda Swinton’s agonized Joan of Arc turn to James Franco’s suave self-seduction to Natalie Portman’s seductive strip, “Fourteen Actors Acting: A Video Gallery of Classic Screen Types” is much more than standard portraiture – these short clips are artfully brought to life by great thespians. Directed by Sølve Sundsbø and with music by Owen Pallett, they have been produced for the NY Times Magazine‘s “Hollywood” issue. Each are short but powerful, subtle and moving.

Javier Bardem

James Franco

Natalie Portman

Tilda Swinton

Matt Damon

Anthony Mackie

Chloe Moretz

Michael Douglas

Vincent Cassel

For the remainder of the series, click here.