DIRECTOR'S NOTES

The goal I set for myself in transferring the film script to the screen was never to present but rather to uncover.  I employ a subjective camera throughout the entire film.  The idea is to get inside Vincent's head. Everything seen and felt is from his point of view.  In order to achieve this, the camera, rather than viewing the action, will always  be within it.  We strove to give objective expression to inner experience, i.e., to show what Vincent was thinking and feeling; to show how a memory, dream or hallucination registers in his mind: texture, sound, color, shape, tempo.  The purpose is not for the audience merely to be a witness, but rather for them to live within    the image and to participate psychologically in the action.  Vincent's mind, from beginning to end, is always engaged.  His confusion, struggle, bewilderment and desperation grow and grow. He is never totally in one place. When he is in the past he still retains some of   the present and vice versa.  Many scenes are dream, imaginary or hallucinatory sequences.  In order to convey the intensity and obsessive quality and to maintain the subjective camera movement,  all of the scenes were shot at 360 degrees with a handheld camera.

 

From childhood on, Vincent never took anything for granted.  He always marveled at every new discovery; at all the wonders of the world.  Vincent suffered constantly with terrible bouts of guilt, remorse and regret because of the burden he put on Theo and because his work

never sold.  

Vincent came to St. Remy because he wanted to be isolated from the outside world and be in a protective environment.  As long as he could discover and reveal new truths and carry on with his work he could hold the horrible disease at bay.   For Vincent, inactivity was absolute torture.  Painting was the only thing that protected him from the constant questions and doubts that haunted him.  By going without proper sleep or food, by working himself to the point of exhaustion -- this alone helped silence the most frightening thoughts.    

  

It was vitally important to him that his work be recognized--for there to be some sense of recompense-- because then he could ease the burden placed on Theo.