Sunday 5 February 2006, 15.00

Ken Russell, UK 1965, 45’

Because of his day job, Henri Rousseau was known popularly as 'Le Douanier' (the customs officer), although he was in reality only a clerk in the customs office. The title of this dramatised portrait of the painter refers to the fact that he produced his art in his spare time.

Rousseau is played by the painter James Lloyd – himself the subject of an earlier Ken Russell documentary (The Dotty World of James Lloyd, 1964) – whose career as a misunderstood naïve painter had many similarities with that of Rousseau. This is one of Russell's most delightful films and his infectious love of its subject illuminates every frame.

Tate Modern  Starr Auditorium
Free, no bookings taken

    

This event is related to the Henri Rousseau: Jungles in Paris exhibition