Maud Lewis - artist - subject of new movie MAUDIE

Anyone here heard of this film, or of Maud Lewis herself?

She lived from 1903-1970, crippled, and in what most would call poverty, but enjoyed painting local life in south-western Nova Scotia. Her work is far less detailed than Grandma Moses, but makes a great impact.

She sold her paintings from her one-room house, for about $5 each. She was quite prolific, and many of the scenes are repetitive, but they now sell for around $5,000 and up.

The movie features Sally Hawkins as Maud and Ethan Hawke as her husband. He was a bit of a rascal - I know an older lady who says he once "paid attention" to her, while her friend was buying a painting from Maud.

I wish I could post some pictures myself, but check out this Google page for samples of her work.

maud lewis - Google Search »

 

Have you checked out her house, which is on display inside the Nova Scotia Art Gallery? It's amazing.

 

Indeed! Looking forward to seeing the film.

 

Just saw it last night. It is playing in Nova Scotia early, because this is the province where she lived.*

The movie is a beautifully executed (and somewhat fictionalized) version of Maude Lewis' life. I'm about 80 pages into a 400 page book about her, and expect to see discrepancies where the film takes liberties for the sake of box-office appeal. In real life it seems Everett (her husband) may have been a tad more what would now be called abusive, than is pictured in the movie. As portrayed in the movie, it is a sweet partnership of two isolated humans finding love together.

BTW although there seems to be no soundtrack cd, the music is by Michael Timmins. Thought I might be bearing Mark Knopfler until the credits came on. I hope it will come to DVD.

* Although landscape and seascape is not the focus of the movie, it should be noted that it was filmed mostly in Newfoundland rather than here.

 

Maybe their film tax credit is better than our current one.

 

Good point. I'm not sure though, because it was being filmed when McNeil did his stupid.