Picasso: A Rebel in Paris documents the life and work of Pablo Picasso, the celebrated Spanish artist who moved to Paris and made France the base for his career for the next seven decades. Source: Australian Catholics.
The documentary is hosted by Iranian-born actress Mina Kavani (and dubbed for the English version). Kavani has something of a commanding presence when she is on screen, as she empathises with Picasso as an exile from his home country and explaining aspects of his life and art.
The film introduces a number of expert talking heads, who offer personal appreciation, technical information and perspectives on Picasso.
The immediate advantage of the film is placing Picasso in his historical context.
Born in Spain in 1881, the documentary discusses Picasso’s art studies in Spain and establishing himself as an artist in Paris after he moved there in 1900.
There are some explanations of the changes in his career, his becoming part of the French establishment, his friendship with Matisse, the development of Cubism, indications of his style in the early pieces and then the development of the multi-dimensional images with which audiences are so familiar.
But, of course, the main advantage of viewing the documentary is the close-ups of so many of Picasso’s paintings.
This 90-minute documentary is an introduction to Picasso and viewers wishing to dive deeper into his life and art can follow up on the internet.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC 11 June 2024
Picasso: A Rebel in Paris: Directed by Simona Risi. 90 minutes. Rated PG.
FULL REVIEW
Picasso: A rebel in Paris – story of a life and a museum (Australian Catholics)
