Camille Claudel

The story of Camille Claudel, sister of well-known French diplomat and poet Paul Claudel, is relatively unknown outside Europe. A sculptress, she was deeply involved both romantically and professionally with famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. Camille Claudel was produced at the instigation of its star, Isabelle Adjani, who plays Camille. The film explores her 15 year relationship with Auguste, a period in which she descends into madness. Ultimately, her family commits her to a mental institution for the remainder of her life. Camille is depicted as being torn between her affections for the men in her life, brother Paul and lover Rodin, and her own artistic ambitions. The film has a feminist perspective, showing how these two strong, occasionally overbearing personalities thwart Camille's drive to succeed as a sculptor. Rodin is played by Gerard Depardieu, and Laurent Crevill is Paul.