The Last Family
dir. Jan P. Matuszyński · 2016
Plot
Beksiński is a gentle man with arachnophobia, despite his hardcore sexual fantasies and his fondness for painting disturbing dystopian works. Beksiński is a family man who wants only the best for his loving wife Zofia, neurotic son Tomasz and the couple's aging mothers. His daily painting to classical music eventually pays off and he makes a name for himself in contemporary art. Good Catholic woman Zofia tries to hold the family together, but troubled son Tomasz proves to be a handful with his violent outbursts and suicidal threats. Their relief is brief when he starts dating women and becomes a radio presenter and movie translator, and the concerned parents must be on constant watch to prevent their son from hurting himself. But Beksiński never believed that family life would always be sunshine and rainbows. As he tapes everything with his beloved camcorder, the 28-year Beksiński saga unfolds through paintings, near-death experiences, dance music trends and funerals...
Why watch
"The Last Family" intricately weaves the poignant tale of Zdzisław Beksiński, a visionary artist grappling with the chaos of family life and mental health. This melancholic exploration of love, despair, and the burdens of artistic legacy invites viewers to reflect on the fragility of human connections.
Talking points
- the role of art in coping with trauma
- the complexities of familial love
- mental health and its societal perceptions
- the legacy of artists in their personal lives