Cher, Isabella Rossellini, and Naomi Campbell are just a few of those singing the praises of Kevyn Aucoin in a new trailer for a doc about the iconic makeup artist. Described as the “sweetest, most thoughtful person in the world,” Aucoin was also a trailblazing artist who played a hugely influential role in beauty trends.
“Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story” explores Aucoin’s personal and professional sides. The trailer alludes to a difficult upbringing in Louisiana, where openly gay Aucoin felt “ugly and judged.” “He wanted everyone else who was misunderstood or on the fringes to feel like they were beautiful and they belonged, too,” one of the doc’s characters explains.
But no matter how great his accomplishments, “it was just never enough,” we’re told. Aucoin struggled with an addiction to painkillers and died in 2012 at the age of 40.
“As a makeup artist, I was always inspired by Kevyn Aucoin and he was always an icon in our industry,” director Tiffany Bartok (“Altered by Elvis”) told us. “I discovered one day that earlier generations of makeup artists did not even know who he was! It became clear that this new generation desperately needed to be educated about Kevyn. He was truly ahead of his time and created the path that all makeup artists tread upon today,” she emphasized.
“Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story” opens June 29 in Chicago, and July 20 in LA. The doc will be available on digital and VOD July 31.
