"Tabula rasa and vita nova," exclaims artist Jean-Yves Machond (Benoît Poelvoorde). "A clean slate and a new life." Leaving Brussels and his job as a professor to settle in Normandy, Machond searches for inspiration, convinced he still has something to say with his art.

The small town of Étretat, with its scenic cliffs, sea views and beaches, is the ultimate embodiment of Impressionism. But ever the serious artist, the rambling Machond hesitates to call himself a simple "painter." Once moved in, he is introduced to the local artistic community, including the warm-hearted painter Bagnoule, who knows all the goings-on about town and the charming gallery owner Cécile (Camille Cottin), who disrupts his concentration with vague promises of love.

Complete with sliding houses and curious hedgehogs, Machond's new life proves anything but ordinary. THE ART OF NOTHING follows his quest for inspiration and, ultimately, happiness.

Select Accolades

• Rome Film Festival
  
• Liège International Comedy Film Festival
  
• French Film Days Tübingen-Stuttgart