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The Woodmans
SummaryA fascinating, unflinching portrait of the late photographer Francesca Woodman, told through the young artist’s work (including experimental videos and journal entries) and remarkably candid interviews with her artist parents Betty and Charles (a ceramic sculptor and painter/photographer), who have continued their own artistic practices while wat... Read More

Directed By:Scott Willis

The Woodmans

Metascore
Generally Favorable
74
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.5
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
74
67% Positive
6 Reviews
33% Mixed
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
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  • Negative Reviews
Jan 18, 2011
90
The New York Times
Family dynamics examined through the prism of art: The Woodmans, C. Scott Willis's compelling documentary study of an artistic clan whose comfortable life was shattered by the suicide of its youngest member, asks profound questions to which there really are no answers.
Jan 18, 2011
90
Village Voice
Ultimately, The Woodmans is a haunting study in family dynamics.
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.5
83% Positive
5 Ratings
17% Mixed
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Nov 2, 2011
10
RONGIU
Sorry, English translation mechanics. Intra Moenia Sorry, English translation mechanics. What happened inside the building body of Francesca? Why has come to an act so extreme and I understand reasoned? What he wanted to communicate to permanently excluding a priori the black and white using only the bright red of his blood? It 'hard to answer, and the documentary certainly does not help us. Not helpful, since the testimony of a mother and a father, but humanly large artistically limited, do not hold pace with the speed of his thought and his action. At first glance, the photos of Francesca evoke sadness and melancholy. Not so in hindsight. His nudes are nude researcher and not a spectator. I like to think **** who appears naked in the study, I, understand and then giving. There is definitely someone in the life of Francesca, who did not want to accept this gift. There is definitely someone who has not been able to lend a hand. And 'negligence? Certainly not. It is not easy to keep up with minds that are able to cross the boundaries of the present, with the same moment. It is not easy for anyone. Her, we are left with images, so many. And it is there, chances are that you must try to understand a soul who has donated so much of love. Good Click! ITALIAN VERSION Intra moenia. Cosa è avvenuto all'interno dell'edificio corporeo di Francesca? Perchà è giunta ad un atto così estremo e mi par di capire ragionato? Cosa ha voluto comunicarci in modo definitivo, escludendo a priori il bianco ed il nero utilizzando solo il rosso vivo del suo sangue? E' difficile dare una risposta, ed il documentario certo non ci aiuta. Non ci aiuta perchà anche le testimonianze di una mamma e di un papÃ, artisticamente grandi ma umanamente limitati, non reggono il passo con la velocità del suo pensiero e del suo agire. A prima vista le foto di Francesca evocano tristezza, melanconia. Non è così a ben vedere. I suoi nudi, sono nudi da ricercatrice e non da spettatrice. Mi piace pensare ad un ragazza che nel nudo sembra studiarsi, cercarsi, capirsi per poi donarsi. C'è sicuramente qualcuno, nella vita di Francesca, che questo dono non ha voluto accettarlo. C'è sicuramente qualcuno che non ha saputo tenderle una mano. E' colpa grave? Certamente, no. Non è facile star dietro a menti che riescono a valicare i confini dell'attimo presente, con lo stesso attimo. Non è facile per nessuno. Di lei, ci restano le immagini, tante. Ed è lì, probabilmente che bisogna cercare, per capire un'anima che di Amore ne ha donato tanto. Good Click!
Jan 20, 2011
9
Michaelnj
I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie. I respect this Movie.
Nov 17, 2011
75
San Francisco Chronicle
It's impossible to listen to Francesca's parents, deadly serious about art as a higher calling, without feeling both saddened and disturbed.
Jan 21, 2011
75
New York Post
Directed by C. Scott Willis, this beautifully shot documentary blends Francesca's work -- photos, videos and passages from her diary -- with interviews.
Jan 20, 2011
75
The A.V. Club
Intentionally or unintentionally, there's a degree of accusation to The Woodmans that's discomfiting, almost as if Willis is indicting Francesca's parents for being so self-involved-even though they're just answering his questions as honestly as they can.
Jan 18, 2011
60
Time Out
If The Woodmans has something profound to say-and it does, unwittingly-it's that art can't raise a child solo.
Jan 22, 2011
50
Boxoffice Magazine
For all the interviewees who tearfully speak of her work, the film does anything but.
See All 9 Critic Reviews
Nov 19, 2020
8
Trailesque
This is a film about a very talented family of artists, with the focus on Francesca Woodman, a young photographer who committed suicide. Her parents, George and Betty, were passed their interests and work ethic on to their children. The areas they focused on were different, however. Betty did ceramics and painting, and achieved a high level of popularity. Son Charles does electronic art, and father George is presented as a mostly unsuccessful painter, which is misleading, because this Harvard grad was a professor at the University of Colorado in addition to his creative work. The most intense member of the family was young Francesca, who made stunning black and white photos, mostly of her nude self in strange positions, and contrasted with fabrics and textured surfaces. She suffered from what sounds like bipolar disorder (her diagnosis was not mentioned) and committed suicide at age 22. She never got to see how popular and respected her work became. This tragedy is the heart of the movie, and you can see how it impacted her parents--her father in particular seemed to feel it the most, he is often uncomfortable while being interviewed. There are also interviews with interesting friends of the family that fill out the portrait.
See All 6 User Reviews
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  • C. Scott Films
  • ITVS International
Jan 19, 2011
1 h 22 m

Awards

Tribeca Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
News & Documentary Emmy Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Gotham Awards
• 1 Nomination
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