El Artista Y La Modelo (aka The Artist And The Model) (2012)

Set in 1943 occupied France, not far away from the Spanish border. An aging famous sculptor (Jean Rochefort in an excellent performance) who is tired of life and the war finds the desire to create again when a young Spanish girl (Aida Folch) escaping a refugee camp enters his life. Directed by Fernando Trueba (BELLE EPOQUE), this is a Spanish film although it's spoken in the French language. It's a poignant look at an artist in his twilight years who has lost most of his interest in life except for his Art and the muse who inspires him to one last masterpiece. Shot in gorgeous B&W scope by Daniel Vilar, it's a visual treat. I could have done without the movie's downbeat ending which seemed almost cruel. Worth seeking out. With Claudia Cardinale (looking great), Gotz Otto and Martin Gamet.