ARTEMISIA

Seventeenth-century Italy. Young Artemisia is an exceptional painter. But despite her talents, which exceed even those of her renowned father, she is refused admission to the Academy of Fine Arts because she is female. When famed artist Agostino Tassi comes to collaborate with her father on a series of religious frescoes, he reluctantly agrees to take Artemisia as a pupil so that she can learn the latest innovation in painting: the technique of perspective. Troubled and surprised by his arrogance and profligate lifestyel, Artemisia becomes fascinated by the older man and by what she is learning. He is captivated by her youth, beauty and talent. Little by little, the relationship between teacher and student takes on another form. Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the few women of the Renaissance period who was able to live and work as an artist. This biographical film, based on an early episode in her life, traces her growth into womanhood andher emergence as an artist. Directed with equal amounts of passion and precision, ARTEMISIA is grandly romantic and astonishingly beautiful. (In French with English subtitles)