Based on Vincent van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo, the film depicts the artist’s problem of hiring models and his difficult relationship with them. Some ‘problems’ that today would be seen as something else.

German actor Ben Becker plays the iconic artist, undefined by time or place, with Austrian theatre star Birgit Minnichmayr as one of his models. They present a portrait of the artist far removed from the usual mythology and closer to a minute depiction of his working routine, revealing some surprising attitudes and shocking situations. Instead of showing the usual popular paintings, we experience the struggle to get there.

Driven by the search for a new approach to show van Gogh’s hyper-eccentric and notorious behaviour, which has long since become a cliché of a cliché, the film explores new realities. Through an episodic structure and astonishing naturalistic performances, we see various bizarre moments that put the icon in a different perspective. Which puts us in front of a mirror: how do we create our myths? Who defines our canon? Isn't it time to redefine our cultural references? Do you think we would show a ‘standard’ biopic of a famous artist in Rebels?

Javier Garcia Puerto