The film connects Andrée Heuschling's modeling and acting with the distinct artistic paths of Auguste and Jean Renoir.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Forgotten Model
The film introduces Andrée Heuschling, also known as Catherine Hessling. She is established as the last model of Auguste Renoir.
Key Events
Forgotten Story Introduced — The film presents the forgotten story of Andrée Heuschling. Characters: Andrée HeuschlingLocation: Film narrative
Catherine Hessling Revealed — Andrée is identified as Catherine Hessling. Characters: Andrée HeuschlingLocation: Film narrative
Final Model — Andrée is established as Auguste Renoir's last model. Characters: Auguste Renoir, Andrée HeuschlingLocation: Auguste Renoir's artistic world
Auguste At Career's End — Auguste is situated at the end of his brilliant painting career. Characters: Auguste RenoirLocation: Auguste Renoir's artistic world
Two Renoir Generations
Auguste is shown at the end of his brilliant career, while his son Jean is still searching for an artistic identity. Their father-son relationship creates the central generational contrast.
Key Events
Jean Begins Searching — Jean is introduced as an aspiring director searching for himself. Characters: Jean RenoirLocation: Jean Renoir's emerging artistic world
Father And Son — The story frames Auguste and Jean as father and son. Characters: Auguste Renoir, Jean RenoirLocation: The Renoir family narrative
Andrée Connects Artists — Andrée becomes the link between Auguste's painting and Jean's filmmaking. Characters: Auguste Renoir, Andrée Heuschling, Jean RenoirLocation: The shared artistic narrative
A Link Between Arts
Andrée connects Auguste's late painting career with Jean's emerging filmmaking. Her transition from model to first actress gives the narrative its central bridge.
Key Events
First Film Role — Andrée is identified as the first actress in Jean's films. Characters: Andrée Heuschling, Jean RenoirLocation: Jean Renoir's film work
Jean's Unformed Career — Jean's celebrated directing career has not yet begun. Characters: Jean RenoirLocation: Jean Renoir's emerging artistic world
Painting Into Cinema
The film emphasizes the relationship between painting and cinema through live-action recreations of Renoir's works. The production also draws on Guy Ribes's expertise as a convicted art forger.
Key Events
Recreated Renoir Paintings — Renoir paintings are created and recreated in live action on screen. Characters: Auguste RenoirLocation: The film's visual construction
Forgery Informs Recreation — Director Gilles Bourdos uses convicted art forger Guy Ribes for the painting recreations.
Location: The film's production process
Artistic Legacy Connected — Andrée's role connects Auguste's late painting with Jean's early cinema. Characters: Auguste Renoir, Andrée Heuschling, Jean RenoirLocation: The film's concluding perspective
Story Breakdown
Andrée's Forgotten Story — The narrative restores attention to Andrée Heuschling and her identity as Catherine Hessling.
Catherine Hessling — Andrée is also known by the name Catherine Hessling.
Central Figure — The film presents Andrée as the central link within the Renoir story.
Auguste's Final Period — Auguste Renoir is portrayed at the end of his brilliant career as an impressionist painter.
Impressionist Painter — Auguste is identified as an impressionist painter.
Last Model — Andrée serves as Auguste's final model.
Jean's Artistic Search — Jean Renoir is an aspiring director who has not yet reached his celebrated career.
Aspiring Director — Jean is introduced as a film director in formation.
Searching Identity — Jean is still searching for himself and his artistic direction.
Father And Son — The film places Auguste and Jean within a shared family and artistic framework.
Family Connection — Jean is explicitly described as Auguste's son.
Generational Contrast — Auguste's established career contrasts with Jean's uncompleted beginnings.
Model To Actress — Andrée's movement from Auguste's studio into Jean's films connects painting with cinema.
First Film Actress — Andrée becomes the first actress in Jean's films.
Artistic Bridge — Her position links the father painter and the son filmmaker.
Painting Into Cinema — The production recreates Renoir paintings in live action and foregrounds the material relationship between art forms.
Live Action Paintings — Renoir paintings are created and recreated in live action onscreen.
Ribes's Contribution — Director Gilles Bourdos uses convicted art forger Guy Ribes for the recreations.
In the French Riviera in the summer of 1915, Jean Renoir, son of the Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste, returns home to convalesce after being wounded in World War I. At his side is Andrée, a young woman who rejuvenates, enchants, and inspires both father and son.
