Films about painters tend to concentrate on the masters, but Martin Provost turns his camera on a little-known yet endlessly fascinating artist known as Seraphine de Senlis, a simple housekeeper whose brilliantly colourful canvases adorn some of the most famous galleries in the world. By day, Seraphine is a housekeeper. In her spare time, however, she immerses herself in the wonders of nature. There she talks to the trees, birds and insects around her. It is the only communication available to her, and her intimacy with the natural world inspires her to express her feelings on canvas. Desperately poor, she either steals the things she needs for her art or relies on what is around her. Then new tenants take over the house where she works, and her life takes a turn. Apart from Moreau's exquisite performance, the great strength of this film is the manner by which Provost complements the simplicity and directness of his subject. Every moment matches the vibrant character of its protagonist, yet the story has its own tragic dimensions. A testament to creativity and the resilience of one woman's spirit, Seraphine is a marvel – a celebration of art and nature. Piers Handling