Pascal Bonitzer directs "The Stolen Painting" in France

Pascal Bonitzer is a well-known figure in the film industry. Since the 1970s, he has contributed to over 40 films as a writer and director. He started his career as a film critic with the influential French magazine Cahiers du Cinema. He later transitioned to screenwriting, collaborating with many prominent directors like Jacques Rivette, Chantal Akerman, and Paul Verhoeven. His recent works include the film Last Summer, which tells the story of an affair between a lawyer and her teenage stepson, and Benedetta, a historical drama about a 17th-century lesbian nun. Bonitzer often works with unconventional filmmakers, showcasing unique narratives and styles. In the 1990s, he began directing his own films. His latest project is called The Stolen Painting. This film is based on a true story about a lost painting by artist Egon Schiele that resurfaced in 2005. The story highlights moral dilemmas regarding art ownership and the contrasting lives of the characters involved. Bonitzer's approach to filmmaking is influenced by his experiences working with Rivette, who favored a spontaneous style of writing during production. In The Stolen Painting, however, Bonitzer focused on merging two distinct worlds in a more traditional manner. Despite his rich history in cinema, Bonitzer remains somewhat of an enigma. He reflects on his characters and the parallels between the film industry and the characters' experiences but maintains that his own life does not directly inspire these narratives. The film is part of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, which runs until April 9 in Sydney and Melbourne.