L'incroyable histoire du facteur Cheval

Yes the authentic story of this countryside mail man, Postman, who, decades after decades picked up stones during his walk to keep tose stones and using them to build up some kind of gigantic palace. he was a dreamer, a man out of the real world. A very Moving movie pulled by an awesome Jacques Gamblin. Destined to anyone, but unfortuntely not a feature that anyone will appreciate. Such a shame.

The persistence of a man who keeps his feelings mainly to himself, to build a palace mainly from stones in the countryside, guided by pictures on postcards he delivered on his daily 32 km round through beautiful countryside, is awesome. The project took 33 years whilst still doing his postman's duties by foot. The palace still stands today in Hauterives, France.

This film based on real facts is incredibly powerful and moving. The relationship to his daughter Alice is the key to understand all what Cheval did. It's for her he will build this incredible palace. Most of the time he never speaks to anybody, but with Alice, the words spill out of his heart. He share with her his poetic vision of the world, full of legends, lost civilizations, ans symbolism. The way Cheval dies at the end of the movie is just so beautiful and moving... It's the most beautiful death of cinema history! Cheval was found of symbols, and interstingly enough, he died at the age of 88, symbol of eternity, and it took him 33 years to build his palace, the age of Christ. I like to believe that this was not just a coincidence...

Cheval said he was not for this world. But the world he lived in, his own world, energised by his love and awe of nature, moved him to share what was inside him. He affected everyone he met. He was authentic. He didn't waste words or energy. He was focused and wouldn't be told he couldn't do something he really wanted to do. Some couldn't understand how an uneducated man could have such deep knowledge of architecture and building techniques. But those who were close to him, accepted him as he was. Shy, humble and brilliant. What a wonderful example he is for us all. Motivated by love, giving something of himself, as a beautiful legacy for many years to come. Cheval inspires the idea that we can all do the same. Share something beautiful and unique. He said he had to be stubborn. I'd rather call it patience. One of my all time favourites.

Just watched this story on TV with little to tell me what it was about.

It is quite amazing but also a little slow and rather sombre. In my youth I spend a holiday camp in the 'departement' de la Drome, however I did not recognise anything and further more the epoch is really way before my time!

Yes somehow I found it rather depressing but was rather mesmerised by this character resillience who however had mostly burried is feelings and emotions deep inside himself.

What saved the story for me was the fact it is a true story.

I left the country I think the year Andre Malraux made an official recognition of this extraordinary work.

I think he got it right when he stated that he was not for this world. Yet he was loved by some as he was and he really deserved it.

Well worth watching.