WFG RATING: A

An Aelita Productions film. Directed, written, produced, edited, and lensed by Diana Ringo.

Stars Edward Pishiyski, Diana Ringo, Aksel Spencer, Aapo Loimalahti, Miro Puintila, Mattias Timonen, Frits Soetmann, and Tuure Ollila. 

After two stellar Russian language films, WorldFilmGeek Award-winning director Diana Ringo makes her English language debut with this tense and emotional roller coaster of a ride about an artist’s struggle both internally and externally.

Max is an artist living in Helsinki, Finland. He has been trying to make ends meet and lives in an apartment while manager and friend Leo attempts to get his works sold. As he struggles, he does find solace in the form of Julia, a young woman who works as a dancer. One day, Max comes across a diary that is believed to have belonged once to Amedeo Modigliani, a renowned early 20th century painter. 

Inspired by Modigliani, Max begins to see Julia as more than a girlfriend, but as his muse. However, he soon finds himself obsessed and soon enough, his frustrations slowly begin to emerge, causing friction with not only Julia, but Leo and potential clients as well. Max slowly begins to spiral downward and begins to think he is similar to Modigliani himself. Will Julia be able to help Max out of his predicament or will it be too late as he is consumed with wanting to be the next Modigliani?

Finnish-born musician and filmmaker Diana Ringo burst on the screens in 2021 with her psychological thriller Quarantine followed by the WorldFilmGeek-award winning adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984. Her third film, making her English language debut, reflects as a modern day tale inspired by the life of Amedeo Modigliani (1885-1920), an Italian painter who was believed to suffer from delirium, alcoholism, and other afflictions that contributed to his death in 1920 at the age of 35.

Edward Pishiyski is great in the role of Max, the artist who slowly finds himself going from a struggling artist to becoming obsessed after finding the diary that is believed to be that of Modigliani. His performance may remind viewers of something similar to Jack Nicholson in The Shining or even if you want to delve into it, Tom Schreier in the straight to video film The Ripper. Where Schreier’s character had the ring of Jack the Ripper and slowly transforms into the Ripper in the 80’s film, we see Max slowly transitioning to a modern-day Modigliani. 

Diana Ringo not only showcases herself as an amazing filmmaker, but she also proves herself here to be quite the actress in the role of Julia. Seen as an outcast of sorts due to her work as a dancer, she connects with Max in the way that he is seen as a fish out of water in another country. When she sees Max’s transformation, it begins to take a toll on their relationship and it is here we see Ringo at her finest. 

Aksel Spencer also proves to show his work as an actor in the role of Leo, inspired by Leopold Zborowski, Modigliani’s dealer and friend who had helped him with a major show in Paris in 1917. Leo is sort of a double-edged sword. While he is there for Max and wants to help him, some of his methods in getting deals can be seen to be quite questionable, including an “indecent proposal” with a mature woman before his meeting Julia. Julia at times seems reluctant and feels Leo may be shady, but when it comes to Max’s downward spiral, she turns to him for help when needed.

The Curse of Modigliani is a great English language debut from Diana Ringo. The story is quite thrilling, the performances really drive the film, and this continues to show why Ringo is a filmmaker to look out for.

The film is now available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime.