Educational Media Reviews Online

Segantini: Back to Nature tells the story of Giovanni Segantini, a renowned Italian painter from the 19th century. The film depicts Segantini’s life through actor portrayals, historian storytelling, and photographs. Film scenes also feature places he lived, such as Austria, Italy, and the Swiss Alps. His biography is told by featured speakers that include historians and Segantini’s granddaughter. The film showcases his most famous works in chronological order as the storytelling of his life progresses while the speakers provide analysis and the inspirations behind them.

Born in what was then Austria, Segantini had a difficult childhood filled with poverty and the loss of his parents at a young age. Although he was at one point committed to a reformatory, he eventually went to live with his older brother, the owner of a photography studio. Despite being almost illiterate at the time, he showed a talent for art and drawing which he could explore in his brother's photography studio. After getting the opportunity to study art in the Brera Academy in Milan, he excelled and caught the attention of the art community. He would then go on to become renowned for his Symbolist alpine paintings.

The combination of the actor portrayals and narration of Segantini’s letters does an excellent job at depicting Segantini’s love of nature, his inspiration, temperament, and philosophies of life and art. The cinematography and music produce a beautiful and thought-provoking atmosphere. Viewers will be left with a thorough education of Segantini's life and work. Although the film is in Italian, there are legible English subtitles throughout. It is a well-made film that is highly recommended for collections or courses on art or art history.

Awards:
Audience Award, Biografilm Festival

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