Séraphine

Séraphine vividly recounts the tragic story of French naïve painter Séraphine de Senlis (renowned French actress Yolande Moreau), a humble servant who becomes a gifted, self-taught painter whose brilliantly colorful canvases adorn some of the most famous galleries in the world. German art critic and collector Wilhelm Uhde (Ulrich Tukur) discovers her paintings while she is working for him as a maid in Senlis near Paris in the early part of the 20th century. A poignant and unexpected relationship develops between the avant-garde art dealer and the visionary cleaning lady. Director/co-writer Martin Provost's fictionalized portrait of this forgotten painter is a testament to creativity and the resilience of one woman's spirit. Winner of 7 Césars (French Oscars) including Best Film, Best Actress and Best Cinematography. (Fully subtitled)

Director:

Martin Provost

Cast:

Yolande Moreau, Ulrich Tukur, Anne Bennent, Geneviève Mnich, Nico Rogner, Adélaide Leroux, Serge Larivière

Reviews:

Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan

The New York Times, A.O. Scott

Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert

Philadelphia Inquirer, Steven Rea

Washington Times, Kelly Jane Torrance

San Francisco Chronicle, Mick LaSalle

Boston Globe, Ty Burr