beautiful meditation on a natural artist, July 3, 2009
5 star Ratings given for this Movie
One of the things that is so fun about French culture is that what would pass for an "art house" film in the US is a much anticipated event here, in particular when it celebrates a national artist. While low budget, these films are produced with the utmost reverence and seriousness, then much discussed across the media. The contrast with crassly commercial celebrity culture could not be more stark. This is a lovely film about a working class woman who is obsessed with painting in the mid 1930s. Without training, she set about realizing her vision whenever she could afford paint. By chance, her work is discovered by an art critic. Seraphine appears homely, dirty, and unintelligent, just a pair of hands for washing. But her painting is absolutely magical, in the naive style. Under his tutelage, she gains something of a following and begins to make a living, but then the war intervenes and she loses everything, or so it seems. The actress heroine is absolutely amazing. Though apparently simple minded, she is gifted with talent and the strength to work. You completely believe in her - indeed, it is a true story. Recommended. The stark realism that serves an artistic idealism is a rare combination. This is a serious art and psychological film, a reminder of how good cinema can be.
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