Maudie

The life of legendary Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis is painted in exquisite detail in this impeccably acted, incredibly affecting biopic. At the beating heart of Aisling Walsh’s film is Sally Hawkins, who not only captures the contorted physicality of this self-taught painter, who contended with rheumatoid arthritis, but also exudes the creative spirit raging within her despite her debilitated frame.

The film’s backdrop is undeniably cinematic: the rugged beauty and expansive vistas of 1930s Nova Scotia. Likewise, its primary setting is unspeakably intimate: the comically tiny one-room house that Maud shares with misanthropic fish peddler Everett (Ethan Hawke), initially as his housekeeper but soon as his wife—albeit still placing behind his dogs and chickens in terms of his favoured tenants. Undaunted by his curmudgeonly nature, she’s inspired by the natural splendour surrounding their hovel to take up a paint brush. Operating with no preconceptions of what “art” should be, her charmingly unsophisticated, uniquely one-dimensional paintings strike a chord with tastemakers and soon she’s a leading figure in the Naïve Art movement. Of course, Maud isn’t motivated by fame but rather the creative act itself. Her exuberance proves infectious.

Aimed at film lovers 55+, Talking Pictures offers audience-friendly festival films, refreshments, and an open invitation to chat about our shared experience of the movie. Tickets are just $10. Bring a buddy and get two for $16!