Camille Claudel 1915

Whom the gods love die young

In 1913, Camille Claudel, with the consent of her brother Paul, was admitted to the mental institution. Lacking the possibility to sculpt, she spends the days yearning for seldom visits of her brother.

First, the one should understand that «Camille Claudel» and «Camille Claudel 2015» could not be compared. The only three thing which unites them are those: figure of Camille Claudel; two great actresses for the main role and that the late film, in some aspects, continues the first one.

The author shows a fading Camille Claudel. Every day in the mental institution nails the coffin of her physical and artistic life. The spectator should answer the main question – does a mental condition of Camille Claudel deserves a life incarceration in the mental institution?

Juliette Binoche naturally portrays Camille Claudel. The Actress, by using a minimum of artistic expression, showed the fading of all hopes and aspirations of a great artist. In the end, there is only a shell of once great and beautiful Camille Claudel.

The mental institution depicted as a hell, which destroys people. Bruno Dumont, in line with Robert Bresson and Michael Haneke, uses the minimalistic and realistic attitude in portraying the institution – mad women with rotten teeth; cold rooms; old female monks as guardians.

Paul Claudel, along with Augustus Rodin, is an evil genius in the life of Camille Claudel. Rodin made Camille mad; Paul condemned her to a life imprisonment. Paul Claudel depicted as a stern religious fanatic, who punishes Camille for her sins.

«Camille Claudel 1915» is a hard drama about mental disintegration. It is hard to watch, but this film will certainly impress you.

8/10