This dramatic documentary chronicles the life and works of Giovanni Segantini (Filippo Timi), the greatest and most celebrated Italian impressionist painter. Some of his admirers and students of his craft refer to him as the "bear of the mountains" not only for his great love of nature and the raw spirituality with which he painted mountainous landscapes but for his somewhat reclusive nature.
Born in scenic Arco di Trento, his life changed when his mother died and his father remarried when he was just 7 years old. At age 12, he was arrested on the streets of Milan for vagrancy, marking the beginnings of his problems with ‘statelessness.' Having been raised in a rural mountain town before the time of reliable record keeping and birth certificates, Segantini would struggle to prove his Italian citizenship as he had been born in Austria. This struggle and the loss of his mother can be clearly seen in the spirit of his artworks.
Segantini: Back to Nature does a fantastic job of studying not only the man but his motivations and his most celebrated works. Described as a ‘docu-film,' Segantini: Back to Nature relies heavily on dramatized elements and dramatic readings of Segantini’s letters and diary. Lovers of biopics will greatly enjoy the dramatic portrayal of Segantini’s life. Fans of documentary films, however, may find the dramatic elements cumbersome. There was some fascinating analysis and art history on display each time the film’s varied experts were given time to speak.
Students of Art History, late 1800s painting, and impressionism will find a lot of value in this documentary. Any art library should think of picking up Segantini: Back to Nature as soon as possible. Instructors will find excellent value in showing this film. Public librarians with patrons who enjoy biographical films should give this unique educational documentary heavy consideration. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on Public Library shelves?
Segantini: Back to Nature belongs on art history and biography shelves in both academic and public libraries.