At Balclis we are passionate about art, or, rather, about arts in general, hence that we are aware that beauty and emotion are not only limited to museums and exhibition halls, but that it is possible to enjoy it by turning the pages of a book, observing the big screen, and why not, from the privacy and tranquility of your home.
For this reason, and so that you can take advantage of those hot days at home, which are around the corner, we offer you a short list of five films based on the history of art.
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The madman with the red hair (1956)
The Madman with Red Hair is an American film directed by Vincente Minnelli that reproduces the life of the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, played by Kirk Douglas.
The movie narrates his tormented life chronologically, from his religious preaching in the poor mining regions of Belgium, to his first contact with the impressionist painters who resided in Paris, going through contact with the painting of his native country when he drew the peasants doing the tasks in the field.
Likewise, His first and unstable love relationships are also reflected, and of course the support of his great brother Theo. All this, accompanied by a tour of his different works in those that reflect very well the failure, loneliness and anxiety that led to going crazy.
The movie as such is based on biography of Irving Stone of 1934, and in it, despite the excellent interpretation of Douglas, who was able to easily reflect the anguish of the character, I was only nominated, and it was precisely an Anthony Quinn, with the role of a Paul Gauguin, somewhat superb, who took away the Oscar for best supporting actor.
2. The torment and ecstasy (1965)
Torment and Ecstasy is another American movie Directed by Carol Reed and starring Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison in the main roles.
This was developed during the Italian Renaissance when Pope Julius II commissioned the artist Michelangelo Buonarroti the frescoes to decorate the vault of the Sistine Chapel between the years 1508 -1512.
The teacher, that a principle was shown reticent (even ran away Rome), finally decided accept the project by showing the stormy relationship between the Pope and him, due to the strong Michelangelo's temperament and Julio's fear, who often haunted.
One of the most attractive aspects of the film is the rather didactic way of showing the different techniques used and the artist's way of working to make the frescoes.
As in the previous one, there is also based on another historical novel by Irving Stone "Agony and ecstasy". She was nominated five times for Oscars, and among some of the other more important awards obtained was the David de Donatello award for best foreign production.
3. Basquiat (1996)
Basquiat is a 1996 film directed by Julian Schnabel based on the life of the American postmodern artist and neo-expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Through it what is shown is a small review due to the short life of the artist, that is, from the beginning, making graffiti through the streets of Brooklyn, until its discovery in the early 1980s by Andy Warhol. The end of the film shows the success achieved by the painter when he presented his works in major exhibitions in New York, and how many of those works began to be acquired by renowned museums and private collectors, and thus, until Basquiat did not know how to cope with that life full of triumphs and plunged In the world of drugs, dying of an overdose at 27 years of age.
Basquiat, in this case is played by Jeffrey Wright, and his best friend and confidant, Andy Warhol, by the British rock musician, David Bowie. Other actors who also appear, and also performing an excellent interpretation, it is Benicio del Toro, in fact, according to The critics, the best thing about the film is the cast, as well. like the soundtrack performed by The Pogues, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, John Cale and David Bowie.
The film was nominated for the Festival's Golden Lion Venice, and Benicio del Toro won the award for Best Supporting Actor at the Independent Spirits Awards.
4. Pollock: the life of a creator (2000)
Pollock: A Creator's Life is about a film produced and directed by Ed Harris, and starring himself in the role main, based on the life of the abstract painter Jackson Pollock.
The feature film as such, narrates the life of the artist from the mid-1940s, when he is able to fight for success, supported and supported by his wife, through the creation of action-painting to his death in 1956 . Throughout the sequences the complex and convoluted personality is shown of the painter as well like his insecurities and his problem with alcohol.
The movie itself is quite interesting because it was part of the painter's role as the main protagonist there are other relevant characters, typical of postwar American culture, such as his patron Peggy Guggenheim, the painter Willem de Kooning or the Jewish painter Lee Krasner with whom he arrived; getting married.
Then, without a doubt, one of the best moments of the film is when Jackson faces the canvas showing his original technique based on sporadic movements, and the magnificent interpretation by the actor with a unique and brutal personality that led him to receive the Best Actor award at the Toronto Film Festival of the year 2000.
5. The girl of the pearl (2003)
Girl with a Pearl Earring is a British film adaptation directed by Peter Webber's 2003 historical novel written by Tracy Chevalier in 1999 . The action of the film is set in the city of Delft (Holland) and is focused on work done by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, The girl with the pearl.
The film portrays that special relationship that arises between young Griet, played by Scarlett Johansson, and Vermeer, by Colin Firth, when Griet enters as a housemaid of the Dutch family and begins to discover the art of painting through the painter's works. Immediately, his sensitivity and delicacy begins to awaken in Vermeer the attention, who, tired of the jealousy of his wife and the character from his mother-in-law, establishes a special connection with the young girl. The end result is the realization of what has become in one of the most famous works in the History of Art.
One of the most surprising things in the development of the film is the successful setting, every detail of the objects and fabrics, the photographic beauty, and the theme of lighting and use of the colors that seem to emanate from the painter's palette.
Although it has received numerous nominations, there have been few awards received, among which we highlight the best photography in the European Film Awards and at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Likewise, it has also obtained the nomination as best European film at the David de Donatello Awards and Awards Goya.