Gauguin - Voyage de Tahiti, by Edouard Deluc

Gauguin - Voyage de Tahiti, by Edouard Deluc

Time may be kinder on this interesting film about the last part of the life of Paul Gauguin, as the title reveals - his voyage to Tahiti and his death- no spoiler alert needed, since we all know he died, right?

The few people who have seen this recent production and rated it have only given this feature 5.8 stars out of 10, but they could have been more generous, maybe even more accurate with 8.

Vincent Cassel, an outstanding actor has the leading role, after other famous artists have portrayed this genius- Anthony Quinn is the ultimate painter in Vincent, wherein he acts opposite Kirk Douglas in the title role.

Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh have been friends initially, but then they argued, the Dutch genius was losing his mind, cut his ear and the two supermen go their separate ways.

Some say that Paul Gauguin is the greatest painter of all time, while others argue in favor of Van Gogh and the truth is that they are both deities of the arts and their masterpieces are among the most glorious artworks ever created.

In Tahiti, Paul Gauguin- again, maybe the greatest painter ever- experiences destitution, poverty, there are scenes in which he is trying to sell sculptures in the market place and has to haggle –in fact he accepts the “counter offer” – for a few francs, making one think about the astronomical and deserved prizes fetched at auctions by the works of these titans, but alas, only so long after their death.

Infamously, Vincent van Gogh has only sold one painting, The Red Vineyard, which was acquired for four hundred francs, in Brussels, before the genius died.

Once settled in Mataiera, Paul Gauguin starts working with fervor and intensity, influenced by the primitive art and the philosophy, or native beliefs.

The parents of Tehura are very open minded, ask the girl if she wants to live with the artist, pose the same question to him and the young girl – a teenager probably- lives with the painter and inspires a good number of his works.

The film is very interesting, rewarding and worthwhile, in spite of the fact that it did not get the appreciation it deserves