Translucent colour planes set against porous ink strokes in rich black, idiosyncratic perspectives and expressive animation – this is the signature style that has made Isabel Herguera’s more recent films unmistakeable. Three film programmes and a masterclass offer insights into her creative practice.
In an Indian city, the young Spanish artist Inés comes across the book “Sultana’s Dream” by the Bengali writer Rokeya Hossain. This feminist science fiction story from 1905 will accompany Inés on her travels through present-day India. Her experiences intermingle with Sultana’s utopia: in translucent watercolours and detailed henna paintings.
This animated girl’s portrait is the result of a workshop with Mehendi artists in India that was part of the project development of the feature-length film “Sultana’s Dream”. Detailed henna drawings illustrate 15-year-old Sadhya’s tale. Her family are unable to fulfil her wish to become a teacher. She practices as a seamstress to be able to finance her studies herself one day.
Animated children’s drawings depict the daily life of young HIV patients in a hospital in the Indian city of Tivim. Their daily routine is characterised by learning and playing together, by good food and taking medication, sometimes also by fighting tears and rage. Nonetheless, the film, narrated by the children themselves, is a picture story filled with playful liveliness and energy.
A vineyard in winter. The wind hisses through the bare vines. Hunters are on the prowl, watched by a pair of lovers. A summery mood sets in. An associative round of images unfolds that takes us from the landscapes of Piedmont to ancient Egypt and reminds us of the dancer Ester from Clavesana, who performed at the premiere of Verdi’s opera “Aida” in Cairo on Christmas Eve 1871.
