HELENE

Finland, 2020, 121 minutes, Colour.

Laura Birn, Johannes Holopainen, Krista Kosonen, Pirrka Sosio..

Directed by Antti J. Jokinen.

This is the portrait of a famous Finnis painter, Helene Schjerfbeck, prolific artist, especially in the first two decades of the 20^th century.

Laura Burton is persuasive as Helene, introduced as being interviewed but very reticent. She lives with her mother and cares for her, a crotchety old woman, critical of her daughter but not living with her son and his family. Helene is very reserved, giving out of Helsinki, seen very often with her painting sessions, frequently approaching herself, using mirror. A lot of detail of her preparation of the paints, the replication, her techniques.

Suddenly she is admired by some art dealers who persuade her to sell her paintings, exhibit them in Helsinki. She agrees, attends the exhibitions, is very fussy about the lighting for seeing the paintings best. Gradually, she appreciates this acknowledgement of her art.

She is also introduced to a young man who is an admirer of her work. The central part of the film shows the relationship between the two, his interest in painting, his happiness in being with Helene, growing friendship, some intimacy, her painting him without his shirt and its effect on her, Laura Burton’s performance indicating the intensity of this relationship, the older woman, the younger man, and his not realising the implications. When she gives him a scholarship to go and paint away from her, he becomes engaged to a young woman.

So, the latter part of the film focuses on the emotional and psychological torment for Helene, her interactions with her mother, her continuing to paint, the return of the young man and the tensions between them, her gradually dealing with her emotions and the impossibility of a relationship with the young man.

And emotional portrait of a portrait painter.

1. Audience knowledge of Helene Schjerfbeck? In the end, the early 20^th century? A reputation in Finland? Beyond?
2. Country location for the artist, the house, the studio? The surrounding countryside? The contrast with Helsinki, the buildings, galleries and interiors? The musical score?
3. The focus on the paintings, Helene and her work, the preparation of the paints, the light, the canvases, the attention to detail in showing her painting, the details of the paintings themselves? Portraits, of the scenes? Is revealing the in the life ofan?
4. The initial interview, her reticence? Her painting for many years, the visit of the art dealers, the search for the paintings, the contract, the prices? The reparation? The transition to Helsinki, the exhibition, Helene and her fuzziness with the light curtains? Walking through the exhibition, the admiration of the public?
5. The introduction to Either, his age, admiration, business interests? His supporting of her? The time together, the growing friendship, his eagerness to paint, coming to the country home, the painting together? The effect on him and his admiration? The effect on her, emotionally, the older woman, the younger man, her reticence expressing her emotions? The young men not quite understanding?
6. The importance of his posing without his shirt, the swimming, her response, the touches the painting, standing behind him, the sensuality, her emotions and attraction?
7. A relationship with her mother, cantankerous, critical, ousting her, sending her to her son and family, the short time there, her return?
8. Helene and her hold over the young man, giving him the scholarship urging him to go away and paint? The issues of writing letters? His not writing?
9. The announcing of his engagement, Helene’s response? His bringing the fiance to visit? Helene’s reaction?
10. The strain, the distance, I owner and his return, the treatment by Helene, his coming to some realisation, his apology?
11. An interesting portrayal of a painter, her talent, her focus, her abilities and success? The contrast with her reticence, reclusiveness, the encounter with the young man and its effect on her emotions, age, affections, and ultimate loneliness?