Van Gogh

At the end of spring 1890, Vincent van Gogh travelled to Auvers-sur-Oise, not far from Paris, seeking asylum from Dr Gachet, a known friend to artists. Despite the rather uncouth painter’s lack of appreciation for some of the gems in the doctor’s collection, he draws closer to Gachet and his daughter Marguerite who, with her youth and beauty, spontaneously and inevitably imitates Renoir’s style. The strange and lofty loner himself draws inspiration from the sun-drenched countryside and is keen to portray the educated doctor and his sensitive daughter as the most destitute and ignorant of rustics. Although he quickly becomes established in the usually quiet town, his rapidly deteriorating mental condition complicates his inflexible existence and the lives of those around him. The situation is exacerbated by the arrival of Theo, van Gogh’s younger brother, who recently married. Theo has selflessly supported his unschooled sibling his whole life. His wife Johanna and an insignificant Parisian prostitute become two more fateful women in the life of a painter who covers a new canvas daily in the dark reflections of his tortured soul. Van Gogh heads inexorably toward the suicidal tragedy that ended his days. He left behind not only artistic works but also people who recognized – before art historians – his human legacy. Jacques Dutronc won a César for his performance, and the film was nominated in 11 other categories. It was also screened in competition at Cannes 1991.