Klimt in November

28 September 2007

Portraits of artists always have a difficult line to walk if they are to avoid tripping over the familiar clichés regarding the misunderstood genius and the tortured soul, even if in many cases there is a degree of truth to both.

Austrian Art Nouveau painter Gustav Klimt is the latest to come under the cinematic spotlight in a film directed by the prolific Raul Ruiz, whose 1999 Marcel Proust adaptation Time Regained (Le Temps retrouvé) was one of the most hypnotic films of its year, although not without its very vocal detractors. Klimt explores the life and work of the artist at the height of his career, employing the semi-surreal dreamscapes that will be instantly recognisable to those familiar with Ruiz's work. Exquisitely shot and designed, the film features at its core a typically compelling performance by John Malkovich as Klimt.

Klimt has been announced for a UK DVD release by Soda Pictures on 26th November 2007 at the RRP of £19.99. Extra features include a Jonathan Romney interview with Raul Ruiz on stage at the Cine Lumiere.