1 minute read
Helene
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
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Director: Antti J. Jokinen CAST: Laura Birn, Johannes Holopainen, Krista Kosonen, Pirkko Saisio, Eero Aho 2020 | 121 min | Biography, Historical Drama | 18+ Finland, Estonia | Finnish with English subtitles
Inspired by true events, Helene depicts the life of Finland’s most acclaimed painter Helene Schjerfbeck between 1915-1923.
In 1915 Helene Schjerfbeck (the magnificent Laura Birn, also in Games People Play) is a forgotten artist, living in the Finnish countryside with her elderly mother. Years have passed without any exhibitions, and she continues to paint only for her own passion, not for glory.
Everything changes when art dealer Mr. Sundman discovers Helene and her 159 paintings stashed all around the small hut the artist lives in. Amazed by her obvious outstanding talent, he decides to prepare a huge solo exhibition for her in the capital Helsinki. However, the real excitement for Helene arrives when Mr. Sundman introduces Mr. Einar Reuter (Johannes Holopainen) to her. A forester and an amateur painter himself, Einer becomes a passionate admirer of Helene’s art, her confidante and the tragic love of her life.
A captivating portrayal from Finnish director Antti J. Jokinen (The Midwife, The Resident), Helene tells the story of a pioneering female artist ahead of her time.
