Foujita (2015)
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Story
A biopic of seminal 20th century artist Leonard Foujita, a contemporary of Picasso and Modigliani, who was famous for mixing up European and Japanese styles.
Summary
In the vibrant Paris of the 1920s, Japanese artist Léonard Foujita enchanted the art world, blending European and Japanese styles, much like his contemporaries Picasso and Modigliani. Known for his delicate nudes, Foujita was a sensation at society parties alongside friends such as Van Dongen, Kisling, Picasso, and Kiki.
After leaving his first wife Fernande, Foujita met Lucie Badoud, whom he renamed Yuki due to her exquisite pale skin. Their life was a whirlwind of creativity and camaraderie until the outbreak of WWII forced Foujita's return to Japan with his new Japanese wife, Kimiyo.
In Japan, Foujita's art shifted dramatically, reflecting the darker realities of war in stark contrast to his earlier Parisian works. As battles intensified, he retreated to the countryside with Kimiyo, discovering a new facet of his homeland. Years later, Foujita returned to France, now naturalized as Léonard. His final masterpiece was the chapel "Notre Dame de la Paix" in Reims, a testament to his extraordinary artistic journey.
