Paula Modersohn-Becker, a Breath

DE 2007 

“There is nothing new to tell about Paula Modersohn-Becker. But the way documentary filmmaker Nathalie David has arranged the long-known, often quoted material into a film about the becoming and growing of a painter is simply wonderful. David does not succumb to the fatal error of sentimentalising her life and reducing it to the popular Worpswede-like notion of a blissful existence. The film tells of Paula’s love for Paris and her struggle against conventions and traditions to become an artist and be recognised as a painter. Its contemplative tone, full of beautiful images, sensual speaker voices and the wonderful Rilke interpretations by Pascal von Wroblewsky, creates an atmospheric space that tells more about the young, avant-garde painter than all the kitschy attempts to define her as a painter of children and typical women’s topics.” Bai die Welt, 18 Jan 07


Documentary83 min. (German only)

Commissioned by: Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum, Bremen
Written & Directed by: Nathalie David

Original Score: Henry Altmann and KaffeeHausAvantgarde
Cinematography & Editing: Nathalie David
Sound Recording & Mix: Sven Bien
Music Producer: Volker Klein
Post-Production: Christian Dubuisson, Montagehalle, Bremen

Featuring:
Rilke’s Poems Sung by: Pascal von Wroblewsky
The Reader: Hildegard Schmahl
Voices:
Paula Modersohn-Becker: Gabriela Maria Schmeide
Rainer Maria Rilke: Martin Spitzweck
Otto Modersohn: Siegfried W. Maschek

Production: PITCHOUNPRODUCTION
Funded by: Nordmedia Fonds GmbH in Niedersachsen and Bremen
Supported by: Instituts Français (Bremen and Köln) and Museum Ludwig, Cologne
Distributor: PITCHOUNPRODUCTION

©Nathalie David – PITCHOUNPRODUCTION