Showing posts with label artist biography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artist biography. Show all posts

12/04/2011

All the Mornings of the World (Tous les matins du monde) Two-Disc Edition (1991) Review

All the Mornings of the World (Tous les matins du monde) Two-Disc Edition (1991)
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This film is a feast for the senses--and the spirit. The story is a fictionalized version of the apprenticeship of a famous viol player, Marais, in the 1600's. His teacher, the legendary Sainte Colombe is a man who makes a spiritual discipline of playing music to the exclusion of nearly all else. Sainte Colombe's talent is supposed to be so great that he can imitate any human sound. Yet he does not care about fame and fortune. He shuns the frivolity of the French court of Louis XIV and even refuses to go to court when commanded by the King who wishes to hear him play.
Sainte Colombe fires his young disciple Marais despite his considerable talent. Colombe states in essence that Marais' astounding techinical expertise aside that there is no music in what he plays. Marais goes on to become court musician but still yearns to learn from the master.
This incredible story was filmed with precision and artistry. Each scene looks looks like a renaissance painting. The story is sad and haunting--clearly many of the characters are clinically depressed. Yet somehow this film conveys an unearthly beauty and dedication to art that is inspiring.
In addition the music is a wonderful discovery. Having never heard these composers it is a joy to be exposed to these plaintive complex melodies.

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In the dazzling tradition of Amadeus, Tous les Matins du Monde is a seductive tale of music and passion set in provocative 17th century France. Academy Award® nominee Gérard Depardieu (Best Actor – Cyrano de Bergerac) stars in a fascinating story filled with romance, lust, desire, devotion, revenge and intrigue. A reclusive composer and his two beautiful daughters' lives are forever changed by a flamboyant young student who enters their lives. See for yourself why critics and audiences alike are applauding this magnificent film and celebrated winner of 7 César Awards including Best Picture! Background on the Film The film is the result of the collaboration between novelist Pascal Quignard, director Alain Corneau and musician Jordi Savall who wanted to do a film on music. Quignard wrote and adapted the book to a screenplay. The film was a phenomenal success and sold 2 million tickets in the first year and was distributed in 31 countries. The soundtrack was certified platinum (500,000 copies) and made Jordi Savall an international star.

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9/29/2011

Georgia O'Keeffe (2009) Review

Georgia O'Keeffe (2009)
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This is a made-for-TV movie which has now been released by Sony Pictures on DVD in 2010. It won multiple awards as a TV performance. Joan Allen BECOMES Georgia O'Keefe, the way George Scott became General Patton--I think now I will always see her as Georgia O'Keefe. Jeremy Irons gives a great performance (as usual) as her much older husband, Alfred Stieglitz. I have always admired Georgia O'Keefe but did not know details of her life until I watched this documentary. It's a great look at her development as an artist, her personality, and her marriage. Stieglitz was a pioneer of American photography, and his last great photographs seem to be his series of photographs of O'Keefe.
The film is 1.5 hours long. Subtitles are available in multiple languages and also (unusual for a TV-to-DVD production) there are previews of other films (most of them not so well-matched to this documentary) and a short "making of" special feature. The film is not rated but if it were, it would probably rate a PG-13 for occasional partially-nude scenes.
The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is high-quality, the dialog is good and of course, the paintings are beautiful: I just wish there had been even more examples of her art in the movie. If you're interested in Georgia O'Keefe in the slightest, you will enjoy this film. I recommend it.

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Star-studded movie about the famous artist. Celebrated photographer and art impresario Alfred Steiglitz (Jeremy Irons) is shocked to learn that the extraordinary drawings he has recently discovered were rendered by a woman. Deciding to display the work of then-unknown artist Georgia O'Keeffe (Joan Allen) in his gallery without her knowledge, the fiercely private artist orders him to remove the collection. Once Alfred convinces her to allow him to become her benefactor and to champion her artistry, their relationship evolves as they fall deeply in love. Alfred leaves his wife for Georgia, but soon finds her rising star is poised to eclipse his light. As their relationship suffers, Alfred finds twisted ways to emotionally wound her, including taking a younger lover. Georgia's search for solace moves her west, where she finds new inspiration for her paintings – and ultimately her own voice – in the New Mexico landscape.

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