“Piet Esser: A Life Imagined “ is an exceptional documentary about one of the most important Dutch portrait sculptors of the 20th century. Esser (1914-2004) educated generations of Dutch sculptors. Praised for the beauty of his art he was also vilified by the upcoming modern artists of the 60’s.
The intimate private recordings of Esser’s granddaughter, Marte Visser, forms the unusual foundation of the documentary which allows us to see Esser talking about his work and the love of his life, Dora. Also Esser’s son Daniel, art historian Dr. Jan Teeuwisse and ex-students also share their memories of Esser as a father, teacher and artist.
Most of the film is set in the turbulent time of the 60’s where a changing world, protesting students and the zeitgeist of the art world ruthlessly punishes those who do not follow the modern trend. Piet Esser is one of those. However, Piet Esser, courageously fought for his vision of art and continued to work, in what some may call cultural exile, in France.
Festivals: Dutch Film Festival 2009