- Artworks coming from all over the world touch the spectators of this movie with an incredible emotional intensity. What could drive men and women, locked up behind bars for many years, to paint the portrait of their twin brother or a field of flowers? Some of these artworks can be quite disturbing as they reflect deeply what imprisonment does to a human being. A German art critic is astounded by the level of details in one painting and notices a little symbol of hope in one corner. Why are these prisoners painting? Is it a therapy, a way to escape, a leisurely pastime?—Poirier Films
- Artworks coming from all over the world touch the spectators of this movie with an incredible emotional intensity. What could drive men and women, locked up behind bars for many years, to paint the portrait of their twin brother or a field of flowers? Some of these artworks can be quite disturbing as they reflect deeply what imprisonment does to a human being. A German art critic is astounded by the level of details in one painting and notices a little symbol of hope in one corner. Why are these prisoners painting? Is it a therapy, a way to escape, a leisurely pastime?
The director, Inga Lavolé-Khavkina explores the reasons behind the power of this art, which originates beyond the restrictions of the cell. This art delves into the profound recesses of the imagination and the soul, and, when exhibited, creates a bridge between prisoners and society. The viewers go through a surprising experience as the inmates recount how they went through their own healing catharsis, while laying their stories on the canvas; like Thierry, who wonders if one should be considered dead when he lands in prison. To stay alive he paints an incredible series of frescoes on the walls of his prison over many years. Jean-Claude and Berthet are now renowned artists exhibiting in art galleries. They discovered art while in prison, which opened new horizons for them. These men, along with other up-and-coming artists in the film, confide to us their deepest secrets and yearnings.
The famous writer Arthur Koestler was himself a prisoner on three occasions, which gave him the urge to help inmates find the better in them through art as they learn how to channel their violence through artistic expression. He was instrumental in putting the UK at the forefront of the encouragement of artistic practices in prisons allowing inmates to evolve. In Germany, Peter Echtermeyer, whose International art contest shows that art lives behind closed walls all over the world, shares with us his passion for artistic creation "What is art?" he asks and answers: "If you are touched, then you are part of a performance."
"Half a Square Meter of Freedom" is first and foremost about art, beautiful and interesting art, which galleries in Paris, London and Berlin are clamoring to exhibit. As one of the art critics in the film stated, this is the kind of art that touches people on a profound and visceral level. When screened in Paris at the «L'Europe autour de l'Europe» festival the film received a standing ovation. Every spectator was moved by its humanistic approach. The President of the major French not for profit organization Farapej, which regroups more than 70 organizations working with inmates in prison and after their release, wrote to all its members that it is a "must see movie" and conferences should be organized around it.
Celebrating artistic creation through a visual display of numerous artworks, the director opens new perspectives as they touch people's hearts and minds while they discover this unknown universe. The music by The Insects company from Bristol matches perfectly the density of emotions brought by this very dynamic film. Approaching this controversial subject with great humanity, "Half a Square Meter of Freedom" entices us to take a new look at prisoners and prepares us to welcome them back into society upon their release. "Art is the shortest path from man to man," as the French writer André Malraux states.
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