Explore Rembrandt's masterpieces on the big screen

Art lovers can indulge in the Dutch master's paintings in this second documentary in the current Exhibition on Screen season, which will be showing at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town on 13, 17 and 18 December at 7.30pm and 14 December at 2.30pm.

Every Rembrandt exhibition is eagerly anticipated, but this major new show, focussing on the final years of his life and hosted by London's National Gallery and Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, is the biggest in many years.

Given exclusive and privileged access by both galleries, the film documents this extraordinary show and interweaves Rembrandt's life story with the behind-the-scenes preparations at both institutions. For many, he is the greatest artist who ever lived; this film takes a close look at the man behind such acclaim.

Soulful, honest and deeply moving

Rembrandt's creativity gathered new energy in the closing years of his life. It is the art of these late years - soulful, honest and deeply moving - that indelibly defines our image of Rembrandt the man and the artist.

This landmark exhibition is a unique opportunity to experience the passion, emotion and innovation of Rembrandt.

Narrated by stage and screen actor Robert Lindsay, and BAFTA-, Olivier- and Tony Award-winner, the 85-minute documentary features interviews with the show's curators Betsy Wieseman and Jonathan Bikker. Artist Richard Twose demonstrates Rembrandt's painting technique whilst Dolores de Sade shows the revolutionary way that Rembrandt worked with printmaking, a brand new art form at the time. Philosopher AC Grayling provides fascinating insight into Rembrandt's self-portraits.

Rembrandt from the National Gallery London and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam also explores the evolution of Rembrandt's artworks from his biblical masterpieces, such as The Stoning of St Stephen (1625) to key masterpieces including the likes of The Night Watch (1642), and through to his later accomplishments such as The Jewish Bride (c.1665 to 1669).

Five productions

Award-winning arts documentary maker Phil Grabsky and Seventh Art Productions are delighting art lovers in more than 40 countries across the world, including here in South Africa. The new season comprises five productions to be screened exclusively at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town between November and June 2015.

The second season of Exhibition on Screen features five films that cover the exhibitions' paintings, while taking audiences behind the scenes to discover what lies behind the exhibition creatively and technically. What each artwork reveals about the artist and the particular historical period is also uncovered.

Filmed exclusively for cinema at the exhibitions and on location, this ground-breaking series allows art lovers worldwide to enjoy, marvel at, and delight in the amazing works of some of history's most foremost painters on the big screen, in stunning high definition.

In 2011 Phil Grabsky and his company, Seventh Art Productions, created art history when they brought major art exhibitions into cinemas across the globe with Leonardo Live from London's National Gallery.

This was the first ever live-to-cinema exhibition broadcast from a gallery or museum. Grabsky and Seventh Art Productions are also the multi-award-winning filmmakers behind films such as Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the acclaimed In Search Of series (about Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Chopin), Escape from Luanda and The Boy Mir - Ten Years in Afghanistan. Among Phil's many other films are over 120 Tim Marlow art shows that have played on TV over the past decade.

Phil made the world's first 3D visual arts film: Tim Marlow on British Sculpture at the Royal Academy of Arts. He has also made six award-winning history films with Monty Python's Terry Jones. Working with co-director David Bickerstaff, Grabsky also completed the lauded short documentary Heavy Water: a Journey to Chernobyl, as well as The Making of Swallows and Amazons - the Bristol Old Vic Sets Sail and Making War Horse - both films exploring the creative processes behind theatrical productions.

Four books

Phil has written four books, including The Great Artists, with Tim Marlow. All are available in printed, audible and e-reader formats. Phil has been honoured with awards for Services to Television, Lifetime, Best Director and Services to the Arts and Education.

Exhibition on Screen has thrilled audiences in over 1000 cinemas throughout the UK, the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America, giving audiences the chance to avoid the crowds and enjoy a front row seat to some of the world's greatest art exhibitions in high definition on the big screen.

For booking information, go to www.cinemanouveau.co.za or sterkinekor.mob. Download the Ster-Kinekor App on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates, news and to book. Follow on Twitter @nouveaubuzz and on Facebook at Cinema Nouveau. For queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).

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For more information, go to www.seventh-art.com

For more art, live theatre and opera on the big screen, go to www.writingstudio.co.za