Gauguin in Tahiti. Paradise Lost

In 1891 Paul Gauguin leaves Marseille and heads for the Pacific, trading familiar streets for tropical horizons in search of a different way of seeing and making art. This documentary traces that turn to Tahiti, showing how new landscapes, local cultures, and personal choices pushed him to change his palette, his subjects, and his reputation. Interviews, archival materials, and on-location footage reconstruct the conditions around his move without spoiling later events, focusing on the early years when myth and reality began to tangle. The film keeps attention on the creative impulse and the contradictions of seeking simplicity while shaping a complex artistic legacy.

Directed by Claudio Poli and created by Matteo Moneta, the 2019 documentary features Adriano Giannini as narrator and blends historical research with contemporary imagery to retell Gauguin's time in Tahiti.

Box office figures aren't widely reported for this title. It saw a limited theatrical release and was mainly presented at festivals, art venues, and specialty screenings rather than a broad commercial run.

Among critics, curators, and art students the film prompted conversations about how Gauguin has been remembered, especially regarding his relationship with Tahitian culture. It offers striking sequences of island landscapes and artworks that encourage viewers to rethink popular myths without claiming to settle debates about cultural appropriation or legacy.

Critical reception has been mixed to positive, reflected in a modest user score of 6.7 out of 10 from a small sample. Reviewers have praised the visual material and historical context, while some wished for deeper analysis of ethical issues. Themes include artistic reinvention, the clash between European romanticism and colonial realities, and the ways mythmaking can shape an artist's reputation long after their time.