The Last Family (2016)

Immerse yourself in the world of Zdzislaw Beksinski, a prolific Polish artist whose canvas spanned painting, sculpting, photography, and documentary making, in the heart-stirring film "The Last Family." Directed by Jan P. Matuszynski, this cinematic masterpiece meticulously unravels the intricate tapestry of nearly three decades in the life of the Beksinski family, a seemingly ordinary middle-class unit. Through the lens of Zdzislaw's ever-present camcorder, the audience becomes an intimate observer of a 28-year family saga, derived from the darkest corners of dystopian art and the tumultuous rhythms of domestic life. The narrative cleverly intertwines the eccentricities of the artist's life with his disturbingly dark and surrealistic art, revealing a family portrait that is anything but ordinary. Center stage is the talented yet troubled Tomasz, the manic-depressive son, whose emotional struggles weave a complex subplot, adding layers of depth and raw emotion to the narrative. Zofia, the matriarch of the family, emerges as the real backbone, navigating a maze of family feuds, love-hate dynamics, and near-death experiences, all while standing in the shadow of her husband's unsettling artistry. As the film progresses, the audience is drawn closer to the Beksinskis' world, uncovering secrets hidden beneath the veneer of middle-class respectability and witnessing first-hand the family's unending carousel of funerals. In the end, the narrative culminates in the poignant finale of Zdzislaw's life, leaving the viewers with a profound contemplation of art, family, and the inescapable specter of mortality. "The Last Family" is an intricate exploration of the intersection of art and life, a haunting portrayal of a family bound together by both love and despair, and a testament to the enduring spirit of an artist in the face of life's relentless trials.

The Last Family is a drama movie featuring Andrzej Seweryn and directed by Jan P. Matuszyński.

The Last Family is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Film Movement Plus.