Klimt

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)