Entertainment

This docu develops real nicely

“The Woodmans” is the tragic story of photographer Francesca Woodman, who was recognized by the art world only after she committed suicide in 1981 at the tender age of 22.

Her specialty? Surreal black-and-white images of herself and other young women, usually nude — standing, sitting, lying on the floor, in a bathtub.

She came from a family of artists. Her father was an abstract painter, her mother a ceramicist and her only sibling, Charles, a videographer.

Directed by C. Scott Willis, this beautifully shot documentary blends Francesca’s work — photos, videos and passages from her diary — with interviews.

Fellow artists and friends have their say, but the focus is on her parents, Betty and George Woodman, 80ish but still robust — and amazingly open.

“Maybe I’ve been an absolutely horrible mother, [but] I don’t really think it’s true,” Betty says.

Both parents have achieved success in the art world, but not at the same high level as Francesca, whose work can be seen at the Met and the Whitney.

This is just one of the issues that they and the film confront. Willis provides no easy answers and points no fingers, but the search proves fascinating.