Seraphine

Seraphine (2008)
The weather here has turned nasty again after several clear blue, almost warm days the winter has returned again. So it was time to return to the International Film Festival. An early morning movie is the best way to get me moving in the daytime, so this morning it was Seraphine.

Seraphine is a washerwoman/cleaner, who after growing up orphaned and poor eeks out her life doing chores for others for small change. Collecting herbs, flowers, blood and wax from church candles she makes her own paints and spends her evenings painting pictures of flowers and trees in her room at night.

In 1914, art critic/dealer William Uhde, rents a house in the village and is surprised to find that a picture of apples he likes has been painted by the housekeeper. Buying up all the paintings she has, he provides her with some money but is unable to continue, as the war is approaching.

Returning in 1927, he discovers Seraphine is still alive and painting, and his patronage continues until disrupted by the depression.

3/5 - In French with subtitles, the village life is hypnotic and makes you want to disappear to a quiet French town and paint.