Lust for Life

Set in the late 19th century, the film traces Vincent’s evolution from a conflicted clerical aspirant to a revolutionary painter. It spans the 1880s–1890s, a period of intense artistic change and social upheaval in Europe. The era’s religious debates, poverty, and burgeoning art movements shape his volatile path.

The story moves from a Dutch mining community where Vincent is first positioned to address social hardship, to the artistic circles of Paris, and finally to the sunlit countryside of Arles that becomes his open-air studio. It also touches on rural areas where he attempts to translate his vision onto canvas. These varied settings reflect a life split between struggle, expatriate discovery, and the headlong pursuit of painting.

🎨 Obsession

Vincent’s relentless drive to render what he sees drives him into isolation and conflict with authority. His art becomes both lifeline and torment, blurring the line between genius and madness. Relationships falter as the need to paint overwhelms practical concerns. The film centers on how artistic fixation reshapes life and fate.

💸 Poverty

Financial hardship constrains Vincent, forcing him to rely on others while he pursues painting. The scarcity of money amplifies his emotional volatility and tests loyalties within his circle. Poverty is shown not just as lack of funds, but as a catalyst for intense dedication to art. It frames how survival and creativity tug at the same thread.

🧠 Mental Health

The narrative highlights Vincent’s seizures, erratic behavior, and perceived detachment from reality. His periods of clarity coexist with episodes of distress, culminating in institutionalization and a painful struggle for autonomy. The film portrays mental strain as both a source of artistic insight and profound human suffering.