Artemisia (1997)
Directed by Agnès Merlet

Biography / Drama / History

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Artemisia (1997)
In her historically accurate biopic Artemisia, writer-director Agnès Merlet presents a vivid account of the early life of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653), who is renowned as the first important woman artist in western art.   The style of this singular artist is evoked in the film's striking cinematography, which shifts from the supremely melancholic to the wildly optimistic, in sympathy with the changes in mood of the film and its characters.

Despite the masterful camera work and very commendable acting, the film is let down by some dreadful moments of sentimentality and self-importance.    The rape scene - the film's linchpin and raison d'être - fails to evoke any kind of response and is poorly executed, whilst Artemesia's subsequent reaction to the apparently life-changing event appears shallow and unconvincing.  Indeed, the power of this part of this film is effectively neutered by the ambiguity in Artemisia's relationship with her teacher, being neither naïve girlish fancy or full-blown love.  From that point on, the film has no momentum, little conviction, and rolls on towards its conclusion without any sense of purpose.   Doubly disappointing when the film starts so well, and pretends to offer so much.
© James Travers 1999
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.

Film Synopsis

Italy in the early 1600s.  Artemisia Gentileschi is the 17-year-old daughter of a well-known painter and shows something of her father's aptitude for art.  The society in which she lives does not encourage her to be an artist, but her father Orazio trains her as best he can to follow in his footsteps.  An edict that prevents women from painting nudes frustrates Artemisia's artistic development and this causes her to nurture an obsession for male anatomy.  Her father's collaborator Agostino Tassi adopts her as his pupil and through his influence Artemisia acquires a love of painting out of doors.  All too soon, the relationship between master and pupil develops into carnal passion.  The spectacle of Tassi making love to his daughter incenses Orazio and he arranges for his former friend to be tried for rape...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Agnès Merlet
  • Script: Patrick Amos, Agnès Merlet, Christine Miller
  • Cinematographer: Benoît Delhomme
  • Music: Krishna Levy
  • Cast: Valentina Cervi (Artemisia Gentileschi), Michel Serrault (Orazio Gentileschi), Predrag Manojlovic (Agostino Tassi), Luca Zingaretti (Cosimo Quorli), Emmanuelle Devos (Costanza), Frédéric Pierrot (Roberto), Maurice Garrel (The Judge), Brigitte Catillon (Tuzia), Yann Trégouët (Fulvio), Jacques Nolot (The Lawyer), Silvia De Santis (Marisa), Renato Carpentieri (Nicolo), Dominique Reymond (Tassi's Sister), Liliane Rovère (The Rich Merchant's Wife), Alain Ollivier (The Duke), Patrick Lancelot (The Academy Director), Rinaldo Rocco (Academy Student), Enrico Salimbeni (Academy Student), Catherine Zago (The Mother Superior), Lorenzo Lavia (Orazio's Assistant)
  • Country: Italy / France / Germany
  • Language: French
  • Support: Color
  • Runtime: 98 min

The very best period film dramas
sb-img-20
Is there any period of history that has not been vividly brought back to life by cinema? Historical movies offer the ultimate in escapism.
The best French Films of the 1910s
sb-img-2
In the 1910s, French cinema led the way with a new industry which actively encouraged innovation. From the serials of Louis Feuillade to the first auteur pieces of Abel Gance, this decade is rich in cinematic marvels.
French cinema during the Nazi Occupation
sb-img-10
Even in the dark days of the Occupation, French cinema continued to impress with its artistry and diversity.
The Golden Age of French cinema
sb-img-11
Discover the best French films of the 1930s, a decade of cinematic delights...
The best of British film comedies
sb-img-15
British cinema excels in comedy, from the genius of Will Hay to the camp lunacy of the Carry Ons.
 

Other things to look at


Copyright © filmsdefrance.com 1998-2024
All rights reserved



All content on this page is protected by copyright