SAPPHIRE OF ST. LOUIS
A film by Jose Luis Guerin
2015, 35 minutes
2015, 35 minutes
No. 029
DOCUMENTARY
DOCUMENTARY
Description
In 1741, a ship called the Saphir sets sail from a port in La Rochelle, France on its way to the New World. On board are 30 crewmembers and 271 slaves. Somewhere off the coast of Santo Domingo, a slave revolt erupts.
This little-known moment in history was memorialized in an obscure 18th century painting that hangs in the Saint-Louis Cathedral in La Rochelle. Celebrated filmmaker Jose Luis Guerin (The Academy of Muses) peers into this painting to vividly re-tell the story, capturing, in the process, a snapshot of the political, historical, economic and social realities of the time.
The Sapphire of Saint-Louis is a remarkable documentary that uses a little painting hidden away in a remote cathedral to open a door on a pivotal moment in history.
This little-known moment in history was memorialized in an obscure 18th century painting that hangs in the Saint-Louis Cathedral in La Rochelle. Celebrated filmmaker Jose Luis Guerin (The Academy of Muses) peers into this painting to vividly re-tell the story, capturing, in the process, a snapshot of the political, historical, economic and social realities of the time.
The Sapphire of Saint-Louis is a remarkable documentary that uses a little painting hidden away in a remote cathedral to open a door on a pivotal moment in history.
Festivals
Official Selection, DocLisboa Film Festival
Reviews
"This documentary is a wonderfully narrated illustration of the painting and its story. Art and art history classes will likely find this a good movie to watch. Recommended" - Educational Media Reviews Online
