Hilma af Klint (1862 – 1944) is regarded as one of the first ever abstract artists of the modern age, with a spiritual connection and desire in her lifetime to find a greater sense of awareness and connection amidst tremendous social conflict both internally and externally.
Now, her life has been given a sense of context in Lasse Hallstrom’s new period drama HILMA.
The film opens in 1944 as the older Hilma (Lena Olin) seeks an audience with her brother before going back in time to establish the sisterly bond between the younger teenage Hilma (Tora Hallstrom) and her younger sister Hermina (Emmi Tjernstrom), who then falls ill and dies.
This prompts Hilma to seek a higher purpose, sternly telling her mother as she studies at art school that she ‘didn’t go to school to get married’ whilst finding her feet amidst the artist community of Sweden and becoming part of a clique of women known as ‘The Five’, including Anna Cassel (Catherine Chalk), with whom she gets involved more romantically.
However, Hilma’s desire to rebel against the idea of art as a showcase rather than an insular pursuit brings her into conflict with both ‘The Five’ and the establishment who are very much rooted in sexist tradition. In addition, her fascination and obsession with the more spiritualist elements of the universe prompt her close circle to question what she truly represents in the world of artistic expression…
Hallstrom’s solid and multi-strand biopic does scratch the surface of what Klint represented, although the purists will probably look for when her next exhibition will be showcased at a gallery near them. Hallstrom invests the right balance of emotion and intense determination in her character, backed up by Olin’s solid support as the older Hilma in a reliable performance.
Your appreciation of HILMA of course depends on your appreciation of the artist and her legacy, but it is certainly worth checking in if you want to expand your knowledge of abstract art. Appeal of the film should be founded on fans of the likes of THE DANISH GIRL and SUFFRAGETTE amongst others, thanks to solid costume, make-up and production design, coupled with a luscious orchestral score.
HILMA is in UK Cinemas from 28th October, 2022.
