Bruno Dumont's 'Camille Claudel 1915' Premieres March 13, 2013

Bruno Dumont's film 'Camille Claudel 1915' is set for release on March 13, 2013, in Paris. The film focuses on three days in the life of sculptor Camille Claudel after her arrival at the Montdevergues asylum in Vaucluse, where she would die nearly thirty years later. Dumont avoids a straightforward feminist narrative, instead exploring themes of internment and idleness. He cast Juliette Binoche as Claudel and worked with real mental health patients as extras, supported by hospital staff. The film features long dialogues drawn from the correspondence between Camille and her brother Paul Claudel, played by Jean-Luc Vincent. Dumont's signature arid landscapes and careful composition evoke paintings by Gustave Caillebotte and Piet Mondrian. The director, known for near-silent films, takes risks with extended tirades and the potential discomfort of viewers, but the result is a respectful and immersive portrayal of mental illness.