Movies

This was an interesting movie, and it turns out that it was based on a true story.  Helen Mirren as Maria Altmann is very good as usual.  It is the story of the painting of her aunt Adele by Austrian Artist Klimt.

Interestingly, the lawyer that takes on her case is a friend of the family, and grandson of composer Anton Shoenberg.  Shoenbert was also an Austrian Jew, and part of the circle of artists and writers that were patronized by Maria’s wealthy relatives in Vienna.

Journalist Hubertus is in a fact based on a real person, and it is he who seemed to be the big reason why the restitutions were established, and he tracked down the original documents that provided the proof that Maria needed.

She does recover the painting that she rightfully inherited.  She sold it to Ronald Lauder (son of Estée Lauder) for $135M, and it is on display in the Neue Gallery in New York.  So something to see on the next trip to the Big Apple….

Je suis allé voir ce film parce qu’il s’agit de Jean-Luc Godard, et j’avais revu “A bout du souffle” il y a peu de temps.

Another very professional documentary done by Dartmouth students as a course.  Sabra Field was present and answered questions.

It was great to see her house and studio in the film – where we had gone to see about buying her dining room table.  We didn’t because it was too big and round, but we did want to see her studio anyhow.  She was downsizing as she transitioned to Kendal.

Un très bon film qui a déjà paru à Hanover au festival Telluride au mois de décembre. Bien qu’on connaisse l’historique, il y avait quand même une atmosphère de suspens inattendu.  Les deux acteurs principaux sont très habiles.  On ressent bien la pièce d’où vient le film: une pièce, deux hommes.  Mais le film a pu mettre en évidence la ville de Paris qui joue un rôle important.

L’histoire a des éléments vrais.  Choltitz a eu des réunions avec consul suédois Raoul Nordling mais vraisemblablement sans passage secret. Quelques monuments étaient bien minés, et Choltitz aurait peut-être pu les faire sauter, mais il y a des doutes sur l’ampleur et l’efficacité de ses projets.

A documentary about Edward Snowden – but well done in a very artsy way.  Those in our group who were not familiar with him left somewhat confused.