About the movie…

Jean-Olivier Hucleux, the artist
Born in 1923, Hucleux started painting at the age of 16. He stopped painting at one point for 20 years, and it was only at the age of 50 that his work brought him recognition among the artistic community and the public at large. In the 1980’s, he painted several portraits of art personalities  such as Matisse, Tinguely, Mondrian, Duchamp, César, Klein, Arman, Vasconi, and political figures such as Mitterrand and Pompidou. He currenly works in close collaboration with his son Jean-Louis on a series of pieces involving drawing, writing and computing.

« Hucleux remains the most unknown well-known painters ». Arman
« His work is hypermetaphysical ». Salvador Dali.

Translation of the critic written by Philippe Sanson.

« L’eau sèche (Dry water), a journey with Jean Hucleux »

It is in the privacy of the artist’s home that Brigitte introduces us with infinite delicacy to Hucleux. The camera is there, it claims its place. No interviews, no artificial introduction. The artist accepts its presence, confides to it with such intimacy that the camera goes as far as touching him to read from behind his shoulder the mysterious and indescribable content of his notebook ! Brigitte’s camera takes all the room granted to a friend. Very close, the camera lets itself be captivated by their host. At the beginning of the film, it is time to sit around the table for a meal. Conviviality and welcome are the key words of the film. It is a marriage of love between two arts, cinema and painting (drawing), a sensitive union which brings us with delight to a genuine meeting with Jean-Olivier Hucleux.

Brigitte invites us to enter his world, to listen to each word he says so attentively that the artist’s silences become disturbing pauses which  entice us to hold our breath. Nature, trees, water, the passage of seasons support this wonderful portrait in which the technics of cinema, so often overwhelming, become discreet and tender. Even the  reflection of the camera crew on the pictures’ glass suggest this very restrainted osmosis. No barrier between Brigitte and Jean-Olivier. A poetic resonance rife with mutual respect. A genuine complicity, both artistic and deeply human. Everything is subtle and natural. Each frame leads us to discover the artist and leads to a deeper appreciation of him. Like a third accomplice, Alvaro Covarrubias and Benoit Rocco’s musical score adds more naturalness to this discreet presence. Along with the artwork and the painting, music helps to reveal Hucleux’s beauty and mystery !

Rather than talk about the extraordinary work of Jean Hucleux, his matchless art, I suggest you watch the film. But after the 52 minutes of screening, I was left with a deep  desire to know him better. Brigitte has found the ideal way to reveal him  to us, through his art but also the mystery of his persona. A major artist, undoubtedly, but mainly an incomparable man.

Philippe Sanson - november 2010