> Séraphine
Director: Martin Provost
Cast: Yolande Moreau, Ulrich Tukur, Anne Bennent, Geneviève Mnich
Rating: (M)
3 stars (out of 5)
Reviewed by Mark Orton
The year is 1914 and in the small town of Senlis (near Paris) a slightly shabby woman scrubs a floor, and then shortly after hauls her well-built frame up a tree.
Séraphine (Yolande Moreau) is an oddity among the townsfolk, but to us she is an inviting enigma.
Taking up the story of little known self-taught artist Séraphine Louis is not an enviable task but one performed with great aplomb by writer-director Martin Provost.
The interminably slow introduction underlines that he understood the gradual layering of detail in Séraphine's paintings.
Scurrying around under sparse shafts of candlelight and fortified by self-made rocket-fuel, Seraphine eschews sleep, food and company in order to paint.
Eventually, her clandestine talent is recognised by German art dealer Wilhelm Uhde (Ulrich Tukur) whose apartment she looks after.
The two gradually form an understanding based on their similarities as outsiders, and Uhde gives Séraphine the confidence (for a brief moment) to imagine a world that doesn't involve emptying bedpans for wealthy socialites.
Above all what makes Séraphine intriguing is Yolande Moreau's wonderfully expressive face and eyes, which bear witness to Séraphine's obsessive faith.
As with any historic piece, a certain amount of information is left to conjecture.
While we may never fully understand what went into Séraphine's secret paint recipes, the film proffers visually imaginative possibilities.
Séraphine definitely deserves more than just an art history-curious festival audience.
Best thing: Gaining a fascinating insight into a little-known artist via a remarkable portrayal.
Worst thing: It's about 15 minutes too long.
See it with: Anyone not in a hurry to get to the crux of the story.
