cezanne-and-i

Painting in cinema seems to be all the rage this spring. Following the trailer for the Canadian feature Maudie, the French biographical drama film Cézanne and I has just recently released a U.S. preview.

Directed by Danièle Thompson of Avenue Montagne and Change of Plans, the film portrays the true story about the friendship between 19th century novelist Émile Zola and painter Paul Cézanne when they first met as schoolmates. The two friends would eventually grow up in search for fame and glory, sparking a feudal rivalry.

On the shortlist for France’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film pick, which would eventually go to Elle, Magnolia Pictures will release the film this April. Judging from the preview, it looks to be a well-composed story of heated friendship. Starring Guillaume Canet, Guillaume Gallienne, Alice Pol, Déborah François and Sabine Azéma, check out the trailer below.

CÉZANNE ET MOI traces the parallel paths of the lives and careers of post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne and novelist Émile Zola, from school pals in Aix-en-Provence to working artists in Paris, while exploring their fears and ambitions. Through a slew of flashbacks, we see the two grow up to share a mutual love of art and beautiful women. Zola, who was fatherless and poor, dreams of becoming a writer and eventually joins the very bourgeoisie he mocked in his youth. Meanwhile Cézanne, who came from a wealthy background, wound up rejecting society to focus entirely on his work, which was only recognized at the very end of his life. CÉZANNE ET MOI, a polished period piece, boldly paints a picture of two 19th century masters.

cezanne-and-i-poster

Cézanne and I hits U.S. theaters on April 7.

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