Directed by:
Raoul RuizCinematography:
Ricardo AronovichComposer:
Jorge ArriagadaCast:
John Malkovich, Veronica Ferres, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Dillane, Sandra Ceccarelli, Paul Hilton, Nikolai Kinski, Joachim Bißmeier, Aglaia Szyszkowitz (more)Plots(1)
Director Raul Ruiz transports us to 1918 where Gustav Klimt (John Malkovich) lies on his deathbed. We follow Klimt's feverish visions back to the Austrian pavilion at the World Exhibition of 1900 in Paris, where he is awarded the gold medal for his work entitled "Philosophy". We witness his encounters with the film magician, Méliès, with the mysterious French dancer, Lea de Castro (Saffron Burrows) and with the "Secretary of State", an oppressive fatherly figure who accompanies Klimt through the film like a shadow. Gustav Klimt's paintings have a fascinating expressiveness, passion, sensuality, and like his own life, are dedicated to women. Way ahead of his time, he was celebrated in Paris but condemned in his home town of Vienna for being provocative. (AZ Films)
(more)Reviews (1)
If you have an eye for Viennese Art Nouveau, then you can welcome Klimt with open arms. John Malkovich in the lead role is not exactly excellent. In truth, his means of expression have been the same for several years now, so behind certain masks he may as well be Valmont, Klimt or Murnau, but that does nothing to detract from overwhelming all the senses in this collage of modernists, canvases and the subtle decadence of the world between 1900 and 1918. In terms of acting, equal to Malkovich are all of his partners with Veronica Ferres leading the way. Irina Wanka, the daughter of Rolf Wanka, got the opportunity to make a nice comeback on the big screen as Bertha Zuckerkandl (1864-1945, who ran the Parisian cultural salon for most of her life). Although she made her debut as a child with Visconti in 1969, her career has otherwise been dominated by television series and dubbing has become her domain. Her performance in this film is so valuable that it stands out.
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