Maurice Pialat

French filmmaker Maurice Pialat initially wanted to be a painter. He did not fulfill that dream, and it’s hard not to trace at least part of his legendary anger and bitterness back to this early frustration. Centred on protagonists who can be brutal with one another as they cope with violent waves of emotion, his films are nevertheless marked by undeniable beauty and heartbreaking gentleness. They have the same gripping immediacy and moving grace as works by some of his most cherished artists, chief among them Vincent Van Gogh – and Pialat’s biopic of the Dutch painter may well be his masterpiece. In this long gestating episode, Elena and Manuela get emotional talking about the work of one of their favourite film directors.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was also recorded with video and can be watched for free on Spotify.