User Reviews

Some fabulous scenery to enjoy in this film. A tranquil village in southern France. A simple enough story about an older man and much younger woman, but with something of a dark, savage twist. Ok overall.

I don't usually write reviews, even when I really disagree with what's being written. There's no accredited reviews for this movie and it's clear there's a bias going on, with reviews being written at the same time by friends and family. Don't blame them, but it's not very subjective.

I watched this film the other night and it wasn't for me. Very pretty to look at, but you can't go wrong in picturesque France. Lots of painters, like Van Gogh, went there for the light.

It's a good idea, not very original, but it seems to buckle under its own pretentiousness. At times I thought the director didn't understand what the writer was meaning. But he's the same person! Perhaps he was taking on too much by doing everything and being the camera man also? All three jobs needed improving. The pace of the movie is at times so slow and never different and then further slowed down by inserted shots of the slow countryside, to remind us where we are. Slowville.

Sometimes it is earned by the actors and shows there is potential here for something better. Christian Mackay is the only one I had heard of. He was so good as Orson Welles and is completely different here. Occasionally Mckay looks bored, but I kind of agreed with him. I think it's strange the reviews here only seem to go on about the girl. I thought Charlotte Vega got better as the movie went on, but she doesn't rescue the part from being cliched and doesn't have much more than her looks on screen. I don't know why he's interested in her when the other girl seemed more exciting. The other actor mumbled his lines and was always crying. He seemed boring. No match for Orson Welles. Is it inexperience that made it so dull?

I also didn't like this movie. I found the film confusing. The McGuffin photo is obviously the actress in the film, but then at the end it's supposed to be her mother. It drags almost to a standstill, with all the padding. Why is the meeting of the two protagonists all back to front? Is it supposed to confuse the audience so we don't guess the end? Or trying to be artsy and sophisticated? It just really confused me. I think there's enough potential for something better, but it seems to run out of imagination.

Like the majority of reviewers here, posting 10/10, I have not posted a review before. People who joined IMDB for the sole purpose of writing really good reviews. Including 10/10 A stunning directorial debut with excellent acting performances written by a Matt Heckling. Is he related to the director you think? No disrespect, but I don't agree.

These things are subjective and opinions shouldn't be censured by a producer who only wants you to say nice things about her film. She has given 8/10 to her own film by complaining about a bad review. Not very impartial is it? She seems to be the only one promoting this film on Twitter. I'm taking off two stars for her bare faced cheek and hypocrisy. We're not yet living in Maoist China and I can dislike a movie or not.

I watched this after checking it's score here. Hmm, big mistake. I don't know who gave the high ratings but I suspect they have never actually seen a good film. This is rubbish. It's obvious where it is heading and it's tasteless. The points are for the French setting which was welcome in these times of Covid. I recommend that you watch something else, Something with a plot, good dialogue and no plot holes. Also as a bit of advice, if you enter into a relationship with someone, ask them about themselves. The characters in this film forgot to do that. Oops.

An Englishman is staying in a quiet provincial town in southern France. He's entering middle age and he's at a crossroads in his life. A classical pianist, his early promise has not been sustained. His marriage has collapsed in acrimony.

A young woman walks into the town, a luminous figure in white. It is Sophia, for whom the Englishman is waiting.

Ben Hecking's gripping film 'Provenance' explores the attraction between an older man who has known disappointment and a young woman on the verge of maturity. For him she holds a promise of love and renewal — and she's as much an ideal as she is real.

Ben Hecking is a rare talent in film-making, a director who is also a cinematographer. On 'Provenance' he excels in both areas. The tempo and depth of the drama are underscored by Hecking's atmospheric imagery, with expert editing by Andonis Trattos.

'Provenance' is remarkable for building deep characterisations but with economical use of language. This is the type of 'pure cinema' that Hitchcock spoke about, which uses mainly visual cues to put the audience into the mind of the characters.

Christian McKay delivers a compelling performance as John Finch, the reserved musician who has given too much to his music. As the action starts, we find him an outsider in the French town and without direction in his life. A chance encounter with another English visitor, played with edgy skill by Harry Macqueen, builds the sense of unease.

With Sophia's arrival, John's character becomes warmer and more relaxed. Yet Christian McKay shows us the checks that are hard-wired into John's personality, making it impossible for him to open out fully — in contrast to the spontaneous, ardent Sophia.

Charlotte Vega creates a radiant portrait of Sophia, a free spirit who follows her impulses and exposes herself to great damage. With her psychological insight and instinctive command of character, Ms Vega expertly navigates a spectrum of emotions, from playful humour to inconsolable distress. Charlotte Vega is a born screen actor.

This is film that makes Romeo and Juliet seem like child's play. A story of love, sadness, trauma and unsuspected tragedy. Highly recommended. The cast were brilliant, you could feel the emotions around the dialog. I like the way the camera viewed the scenery, humorous and intense scenes that created total silence in the audience.

This movie captured me completely within first 10 minutes! Amazing acting, great camera work and passionate love/ lust. Beautiful French town upon which this film was set is filled with great scenery and beautiful nature. The characters were well developed and fascinating. All in all this indie film is a must see!

The acting was excellent and the typical Provençal surrounding makes this an enjoyable moment. It reminded me of my summers spent in the south of France.

The story is hiding an unbearable truth, making the movie memorable. It, no doubt, will generate future debate on life, middle life crisis, existentialism as well as the fragile equilibrium of our lives if they become disjointed.

I was especially impressed by Charlotte Vega's acting and hope to see her again on the screen.

Found myself deeply engrossed in the film.

Acting was intense and brought you into the story.

Location was delightful.

Thought it was cleverly put together.

Something different that made you think.

Great to see young talent given the opportunity to shine.

I watched this film recently at the Madrid International Film Festival and was very intrigued by its trailer. What starts out as a slow burn of a film slowly unveils a deep and rich relationship between an older man and a younger girl. At first it's hard to believe what this 20 year old girl sees in this older man but the actress, Charlotte Vega, a true star in the making, makes you BELIEVE in her love for this man. The two of them spend a wonderful weekend together in a southern town of France where they strengthen their bond and love for one another...shot beautifully by a very talented Director of Photography. A "Before Sunrise" with an age gap.

However, and I will say this without spoiling anything, it delivers an ending that will punch you right in the gut and make you regret feeling anything that you felt earlier for these characters. An ending so twisted/amazing that it cannot be ignored. I wish the filmmakers luck and recommend everyone see this film, but you will only be able to see it once.

As you start to watch you wonder if it's an other musician centered drama but how wrong can one be. Set in a lovely village in south of France with a real relaxing feel made one feel almost there, and the little subtle touches of humor really well done. The whole cast seemed to work well together including the walk on bits. Complemented by great camera work the story line could have gone anywhere but followed a really beautiful but heart wrenching emotional ending. The main actors were really great especially Charlotte ,young and new to the industry but we can expect to see more of her.

The Movie is situated in a lovely part of France and has some wonderful scenery. The backdrop adds to the plot and lures the audience into the mystery of a love story. The flashbacks are easy to follow and help build the story and give more background to the characters.

The small cast interact well and give good dynamics to the developing plot. Charlotte does a wonderful job of adding mystery and depth to her character and the excellent camera work assist in dragging the audience into the story.

At times the characters are quiet and seemed relaxed in their lives and keen to develop their relationship with the other characters, which builds well throughout the film to help with the twist and turns.

Well worth watching for all adult cinema goers.

Provenance is a moving story set in the small sleepy town somewhere in the South of France, a place that seems inconsequential at first, but which gains meaning as the film progresses. The acting is phenomenal; all three main characters are fully bodied superbly portrayed and in a way it is their charm that pulls you in completely. The tension intensifies as the movie unfolds in a nonlinear fashion towards an inevitable finale that hits you with the full force. Overall, it is a serious attempt at studying human fragility in the face of suffering as well as thoughtful exploration of relationships bound by tragedy. Unforgettable movie well worth watching and definitely worth watching more than once.

I always enjoy movies where the end is not dictated by the beginning. What initially appears to be a mid-life crisis/romance plot, evolves into something rather more intense. Eden with a serpent lying hidden in the grass; but a serpent with a twist.

The movie's setting is idyllic, and leaves one craving a trip to that part of the world. The two leads are utterly believable; Ms Vega in particular leads you to forget that this is only a performance. After the movie ended, my family argued for some time about her character, as though she were actually real! Always a good sign.

I recently saw this and was very pleased with the movie. The casting for this movie is truly perfect, and the actors do not disappoint. You won't be able to help getting so into the movie, and you'll be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen in the end. I love how in this film just when everything seems to finally be going right, it can turn around in an instant. Overall, this is a great movie and this is undoubtedly a movie to watch.

You will see that there is a 2 star review on here. Look closely, somone who joined IMDb for the sole purpose of writing a bad review of this movie. and this movie only! Ha ha - one can only guess how disgruntled he is that film was more successful than he anticipated . funny but a bit transparent. Its well worth a watch - so give it a go

I fell in love with the location from the get go - the most eye-wateringly beautiful village in the South of France (where else?) is the seductive setting for this tender, unusual love story with a twist. The vistas speak for themselves and the drama unfolds through the characters of John (Christian McKay) a troubled musician, his beautiful young lover Sophia (Charlotte Vega) and the mysterious Peter (Harry Macqueen), a stranger who comes into John's life with explosive consequences. Charlotte Vega absolutely shines as the wilful, playful,engagingly innocent Sophia - her exuberance and her genuine pain when faced with having to make difficult choices are heartbreakingly portrayed from the minute she arrives on screen. I won't spoil the ending but suffice to say that all the air was sucked out of the room when I watched it! Go on, treat yourself.

Provenance (2017), written and directed by Ben Hecking, is a British drama set against the picturesque town of Entrecasteaux, Provence, France and the surrounding sublime countryside. It's a film that dramatizes the tragic romance between an older man and a much younger woman. It is a story full of twists and turns which fuel the narrative creating dramatic tension, and climaxes in the denouement.

Hecking weaves together many visual elements to create a poignant film where love meets misery, shame and heartbreak. He juxtaposes the non-linear narrative of the romance against the burning and simmering tensions between the lovers and the jilted lover. Close ups and medium angle shots are interspersed with wide angle shots and aerial shots set against the idyllic town and countryside. The film is beautifully shot in colour, and the character Sophia is beautifully lit heightening her natural beauty. She is captivating to watch caught in the luminous light of Provence. Hecking frames and contextualizes the tumultuous love story against the idyllic French countryside which gives the film a depth and complexity. His well-crafted storyline evokes the Electra complex and he plays with its sinister connotations. The romance is played out to devastating consequences. The soundtrack beautifully complements the film and is integral to the storyline helping to set the tone.

The drama is superbly acted made up of a stellar cast where each of the main characters is allowed to shine and play complex scenes. Christian McKay's portrayal of John is intense and nuanced and he is equally matched in the performance of his love interest, Sophia, played by the talented Charlotte Vega. Hecking creates an intimate portrait of John, a burnt out, talented artist passing his time in EntreCasteaux who is fixated on his infatuation with a mysterious young woman. The talented Charlotte Vega plays a free spirited young woman caught up in her romance with John, an older man. Vega's performance is nuanced and complex infusing her role with erotic sexuality, vulnerability, innocence, charm, intelligence, and beauty. Harry Macqueen plays Peter, Sophia's former love interest.

It is a well-crafted film that artistically explores the theme of romantic love and sexual longing and desire, and the tragic consequences when we are oblivious or overlook a person's provenance. It's an intriguing film, and the title of the film is apropos to the text of the film. I highly recommend it.

What a superb debut by director Ben Hecking. The scenery is stunning and that is beautifully captured with many picture postcard shots throughout the movie. The actors deliver excellent performances with the standout being Charlotte Vega .... She is surely an actress headed for the top of her profession. This movie will leave an impression that lasts long after the end credits have rolled.

Provenance is a haunting, beautifully done film. The acting is superior. The soundtrack, directing, cinematography and script are also outstanding. The peaceful, idyllic setting in a quaint town in the south of France, contrasts with the moody discontent, the despair of the character's inner turmoil.

There is an abundance of clever foreshadowing that reinforces the themes. Clues symbolically intertwine to support the shocking final twist such as the movie's title and Peter's (Harry MacQueen) job as an historian.

The music soundtrack dominated by piano/violin melodies acts almost as another character in the movie with it's vibrant, violently passionate tones, then sudden juxtaposition to lilting melodic whispers, complementing and interconnecting with John's (Christian McKay) emotions. Music connects the main characters in a web of joy teetering on destruction.

The end is disturbing and poignant. It makes the viewers question their lives and feelings about the world and love.

This movie decidedly deserves to win awards!!

I don't often review films here but I thought Charlotte Vega handled her part like a pro and worthy of a mention. It's great to see new talent and this film will be great for her rankings. Worth seeking it out.

This is a beautiful and atmospheric film with an astounding, shocking and brilliantly cruel twist at the end, almost impossible to guess and delivered superbly. This film could easily be brought to the stage, reminiscent of a Greek tragedy, it has a timeless feel. The scenery and delectable ambiance of southern France are enjoyable in their own right, you can almost smell it. It makes you long to be sitting outside on a balmy evening with fairy lights and wine :) The actors do a fantastic job in portraying the complexity and insecurity of human nature and love affairs, but the final scenes are where their skills really shine. I loved the film.

An unusual story well told with genuinely beautiful scenery, draws the viewer in on a way that was not only unexpected and surprising but emotive and engaging.

Would highly recommend.