''Picnic'', 1956 - art by George Kerfyser is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on February 10th, 2022.
''Picnic'', 1956 - art by George Kerfyser
Picnic is a 1956 American drama film directed by Joshua Logan and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by William Inge. The film... more
Title
''Picnic'', 1956 - art by George Kerfyser
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
"Picnic" is a 1956 American drama film directed by Joshua Logan and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by William Inge. The film stars William Holden, Kim Novak, Rosalind Russell, Cliff Robertson, and Susan Strasberg in key roles.
Set in a small town in Kansas over the course of a single Labor Day weekend, "Picnic" revolves around the arrival of a charismatic and ruggedly handsome drifter named Hal Carter, played by William Holden. Hal's arrival disrupts the lives of the townspeople, particularly the Owens family, with whom he becomes closely involved.
The central plot of the film focuses on Hal's burgeoning romance with Madge Owens, portrayed by Kim Novak, who is dating a wealthy but dull young man named Alan Seymour, played by Cliff Robertson. The film explores themes of desire, social class, and the yearning for a better life, as Hal's arrival and his attraction to Madge create tension and jealousy among the characters.
Rosalind Russell plays the role of Rosemary Sydney, a schoolteacher who is attracted to Hal and is desperate to escape her own unfulfilling life. The film also delves into the lives and aspirations of other townspeople, reflecting the various struggles and dreams of its ensemble cast.
"Picnic" is known for its character-driven storytelling, strong performances by the cast, and its portrayal of small-town America in the 1950s. It received critical acclaim upon its release and was nominated for several Academy Awards, with William Holden winning the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Hal Carter.
The film's title, "Picnic," alludes to a pivotal scene in the movie where the characters gather for a picnic on Labor Day, which becomes a catalyst for the unfolding drama and conflicts. The film explores the tensions and desires simmering beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic small town, making it a compelling exploration of human emotions and relationships.
About the poster artist:
George Kerfyser (1923 Paris, France–2001 Sisteron, France) was a leading French movie poster designer.
With a talent early in his life for drawing and painting, he studied art at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. After graduation, he began getting commissions to design movie posters. His style and technical ability caught the attention of leading film studios in France. As a result, he became the Artistic Director at Columbia Pictures. He designed a number of their posters for major films, including "Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1963).
Kerfyser's use of colors gives a distinct, recognizable impression. The backgrounds are not crowded with scenes and characters but essential and straightforward. They are characterized by plain uniformly spread colors. Blues, azures, greens, occasionally grays, and reds compose a mosaic of colors in wonderfully cool tones.
Among the characteristics of his style was its versatility, using a variety of designs and techniques he felt were appropriate for the type of film. He also used solid colors running to the edges of his posters. In addition, he made unique typography or hand lettering a central feature.
The characters created by Kerfyser stand out against these colored backgrounds. They often contrast figures with marked outlines, black and evocative in their sometimes realistic, sometimes caricatured style. The modernity of Kerfyser's posters is palpable: they seem like unique covers of contemporary graphic novels.
In his later years, he worked with the Cannes film festival, helping it organize events.
Search "Kerfyser" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
February 10th, 2022
More from Movie World Posters
Comments
There are no comments for ''Picnic'', 1956 - art by George Kerfyser. Click here to post the first comment.