THE IMPRESSIONIST OF PROVENCE

De: Ray Drayton

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

1939-1945: The world was plunged into global conflict for the second time in recent history. The giant juggernaut of the Swastika swept across Europe with a vengeance to divide and conquer. Provence, like the rest of France was put to the sword of Nazi Ideology. French civilians stoically continued living their lives as they had for centuries, albeit on a day to day basis. The same question remained on every Frenchman’s lips – surely this cannot be happening?? But it is. That is the shocking reality… Professor Baptiste Dubois was one such man. He relinquished his post as a lecturer at The Sorbonne in Paris. Like the great masters of French Impressionist Art, he heeded the inner call to imbibe in the vibrant light and colour harmonies which represent Provence. This unique region in the south of France possessed a magic which had mysteriously attracted artists since the post Renaissance Period. Provence lured people of similar ilk to partake in creating the magic their inner eye perceived directly onto canvas. The heart saw what the physical eye could not see. The ‘New Age’ technique of Impressionist art form was born. Baptiste’s intended sojourn to join his family living in Provence and practice his art skills in particular, was thrust to one side when the totally unexpected happened. The outbreak of war for the second time that century… The French government departed Paris 10th June 1940. German forces occupied Paris four days later. The French Capital had fallen. The Dubois family in idyllic Provence went about their daily lives seemingly oblivious to what had happened in the north of France. The brutal truth became apparent one night in 1944 when a RAF heavy bomber ditched in the Rhone River adjacent to the ancient Roman city of Arles, close by where they lived. Under threat of death by their German occupiers if they were caught, the two surviving members of the Dubois family hid the injured pilot from the dreaded Gestapo. Baptiste and his granddaughter, Amelie defied the odds and nursed Flight Lieutenant Robbie Robson back to health, devising an ingenious plan to hide his existence from the German SS. Each day bought allied forces fighting their way up through Provence, closer to expunge the oppressive Nazi regime. For Baptiste and Amelie, the prospect of freedom was too late. Events take a sinister turn with the untimely death of her grandfather, consigning Amelie to a living nightmare as the war finally draws to a close. Life continues twisting and turning, reshaping her destiny beyond control. For the sole surviving member of the Dubois family, fate takes charge, plunging Amelie into dark despair. The vibrant light of Provence cannot help her. Fate decreed nothing can help – Amelie could not even help herself. Meanwhile the remainder of a free world continues licking the wounds of war during a seemingly fragile peace…