By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Rare glimpse into Monet’s final years

Claude Monet’s shimmering water lilies—painted in the twilight of his life, in the gardens he cultivated at Giverny—remain some of the most transcendent images in all of modern art. On Saturday, September 20 at noon, Coral Gables Art Cinema offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in their story with Water Lilies of Monet – The Magic of Water and Light, part of the acclaimed Great Art on Screen series.

Directed by Giovanni Troilo and presented in stunning 4K DCP format, the 94-minute film travels through the museums, landscapes, and creative turning points that defined Monet’s late career. With narration in English and commentary from leading art historians, Water Lilies of Monet explores how one artist’s singular vision transformed not only French gardens, but the future of painting itself.

From garden to canvas—and to cinema

The documentary takes viewers on a rich visual journey—beginning with Monet’s early studies of light and nature, and culminating in the vast, immersive panels now housed at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris. These monumental canvases, conceived during and after the trauma of World War I, speak to both personal healing and artistic transcendence. Monet’s nearly obsessive focus on his water garden at Giverny became, in the words of one historian, “a sanctuary and a revolution.”

Through archival footage, contemporary cinematography, and on-location interviews, the film reveals how Monet’s eyesight, garden design, and sense of time all shaped the rhythm and abstraction of his final works. With stops at the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the Orangerie, and Monet’s own home and gardens, Water Lilies of Monet invites viewers to experience these familiar images with fresh perspective.

Member perks

The screening is part of Coral Gables Art Cinema’s Special Presentations program, which features limited and one-time-only offerings that blend film, fine art, and cultural history. Past presentations in this series have ranged from operatic performances to deep dives into the work of Botticelli, Frida Kahlo, and M.C. Escher. According to cinema staff, these one-day events frequently sell out, drawing both art lovers and general audiences eager for a high-quality cultural experience.

Tickets are $20 and under for nonmembers, and just $16 for members—with no online service fees. Memberships, which can be purchased online or in person, unlock discounts on future events and provide vital support to the cinema’s mission of bringing independent, international, and documentary films to Coral Gables. “Joining is a great way to keep this kind of programming alive,” said a cinema spokesperson. “It’s not just a movie—it’s an experience.”

Great art, global appeal

Produced by ByExperience and originally released in Italy in 2018, the film has been praised for its ability to make art history both accessible and emotionally resonant. Viewers have described Water Lilies of Monet as both meditative and enlightening—a quiet, beautiful film that deepens one’s appreciation for a master’s final act.

The timing of the screening is also well-suited to Miami’s cultural calendar. As fall exhibition openings begin at major museums across South Florida, Water Lilies of Monet offers a cinematic counterpoint that ties global art history to local enthusiasm for visual culture.

Planning your visit

Advance purchase is strongly recommended. Coral Gables Art Cinema, located at 260 Aragon Avenue, maintains a strict policy of no late seating for its special events. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime, and the lobby café offers coffee, wine, and light snacks for patrons who wish to linger before or after the film.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.gablescinema.com. To explore the full Special Presentations calendar, including upcoming screenings in the Great Art on Screen series, visit the “Now Playing” section and click “Special Events.”

Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply looking for an immersive weekend experience, Water Lilies of Monet promises a thoughtful and visually stunning afternoon—one that brings a global masterpiece into local focus, just for a moment, on the big screen in Coral Gables.