The revolutionary posterism that arose in the wake of the Civil War represents, in our country, the transformation of posterism. This innovative current, which embodies the artistic ideal of the Republic, gives rise to the names of notable artists such as Antoni Clavé or Carles Fontserè. Of all of them, Fontserè is the most memorable and undoubtedly the most picturesque.
Free man par excellence, heterodox and bohemian, his radical independence often leads him to ostracism. The documentary follows his turbulent life: his Carlist origins, his contribution to the Republic’s propaganda apparatus, his adherence to libertarian ideas, his exile, the refugee camps in France, the apartment shares in Paris with Antoni Clavé, theatrical collaborations in Mexico with Mario Moreno «Cantinflas» and in New York with Salvador Dalí, etc. It is in this city where Fontserè will finally settle, in 1949, thanks to the Secretary of Propaganda of the Generalitat, his friend Jaume Miravitlles. In New York he marries Terry Broch and his house in SoHo becomes a refuge for exiles and young Catalan artists, such as those who will later call themselves «Els Karamazoff» (Muntadas, Miralda, Zush, etc. ). There, after doing a thousand jobs and all with remarkable talent: poster artist, illustrator, photographer, set designer, writer, he will end up earning a living as a taxi driver.
This work is directed by filmmaker and journalist Albert Abril, from whom we programmed four seasons ago, the splendid La memoria de la materia, about an Amazonian tribe that had never been connected. As on that occasion, Abril is based on exceptional material, shot at the end of 2003: almost two hours of interview with Carles Fontserè in the study of his farmhouse in Pla de l’Estany. In it the artist, who has been a direct witness and protagonist of some of the most important events of the 20th century, talks about his life and work, and exposes his ideas, bluntly and always against the grain. As when he confesses to reading the Bible in brothels, of which he declares himself a regular, or when he praises the education and good manners of Nazi soldiers compared to the French, etc.
Art i rebel·lia. Carles Fontserè, a contracorrent, which at the time has not been seen either in cinema or on TV, is a premiere of Documentary Visions, and as always, was introduced by its director, who after the screening held a conversation with the public
Data sheet
Title: Art i rebel·lia. Carles Fontserè, a contracorrent
Screenplay and direction: Albert Abril
Executive production: Sandra Forn
Edition: Aimon Ninyerola
Sound: Angelo Vernuccio
Language: Catalan
Year: 2017
Duration: 54′