Art in time of war: PNCA screens French film Seraphine

Biopic follows the life of housemaid turned painter during World War I

ISLAMABAD: Art is a medium which can grab a person’s attention even when it seems that the entire world is going to end in an almighty war.

This is the main message of French-Belgium film Séraphine, which was screened at the Pakistan National Council of The Arts (PNCA) on Thursday. The screening had been held in collaboration with the French Embassy, the French cultural centre — Alliance Francaise Islamabad.

PNCA Film Club Coordinator Aijaz Gul explained that the film is a biopic, based on the life of French painter Séraphine. "It is a true story where art is discovered by a critic on the eve of World War I in 1914," he said, adding that the film had been directed by Martin Provost and the cast includes Yolande Moreau and Ulrich Tukur.

Séraphine became one of the most celebrated films in 2008, winning seven distinguished César Awards, including for best film, best actor, cinematography, costume design, music, production design and wiring.

Yolande Moreau, who played the title role, went on to bag several other European and American awards for acting that year. Back at the PNCA, the audience was intrigued by the film’s substance, deep thoughts and meaning about a gifted yet completely self-taught painter and her promising achievements.

In the film, we see a middle-aged woman with remarkable talent. She works as a housemaid in the homes of the wealthy and her talent goes unrewarded until she starts working for an art critic, who sees beauty in her work and insists on promoting it.

Séraphin, though, never learns if her talent is worth anything thing. Her modest life remains modest until the end because she does not believe she has been cut out for fame, wealth or stardom.

It is a life on fringes played behind doors. Fame comes much later and kills it. Her remarkable talent for painting comes without formal training and academics. At times, it has to do with one's faith, appreciation and inspiration.

She finds the trees, the open sky, plants, wind and soil enough of a reason to go on and feed her talent. Even living in a small house and unable to pay her rent on time cannot finish or fade out the glow inside.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2018.