an exceptional work." Le Nouvel Observateur reviewed it as "a successful and moving portrait." The French on-line DVD magazine, Dvdrama, reported that "the interviews, particularly those conducted with the artist's sons, are filled with fascinating anecdotes. There is real pleasure in watching the film as the director of Fellini: I'm a Born Liar skilfully marries erudition with emotion, allowing us to penetrate the painter's austere and complex personality devoted entirely to his art." Quotes from the film François Rouan: "The piss that one cherishes when it streams from the beloved... The central question of painting, and particularly in Balthus's work, is the sexual dimension. If Balthus were here, he'd light up a cigarette, yet another one, and assume a humorous air, naturally he would let me have my say, and then he'd conclude by telling me that the young women he paints are angels." Jean Leymarie: "Angels, as Rilke noted, are terrifying. And beauty itself is terrifying." Jean Clair: "Perhaps his greatest moments are when his cruelty explodes onto the canvas. Balthus possesses a Sadean element." Balthus: "The quickest way to become famous during the 1930s was by causing a scandal." Awards 1996: Grand Prize - XXIst UNESCO International Festival of Art Films 1996: Best Photography Prize - Lausanne International Art Film Festival 1996: Official Selection - 8th International VUE SUR LES DOCS Marseille DVD The feature documentary is available in an international DVD edition released by Arte Vidéo in October 2007 (NTSC / All zones format). The 2-disc anamorphically enhanced Collectors Edition includes the 72' theatrical version together with bonus material featuring: Three Balthusian Lessons - a 24' documentary with Jean Clair, Jean Leymarie and François Rouan based on the sacred, the profane, and the Japanese Zen concept of satori; Tea at the Grand Chalet - a 10' document with Anna, Balthus's last adolescent model, taking afternoon tea with the painter and his wife at the Grand Chalet. In the course of their easy-going conversations, the painter's sunny mood clouds over when he considers the work on his easel as a daunting challenge. References External links Balthus de l'autre côté du miroir at the Internet Movie Database Balthus de l'autre côté du miroir Le Centre de Film sur l'Art - Cahier didactique 1996 films French documentary films 1990s French-language films Documentary films about painters 1996 documentary films 1990s French films