Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen

Benedictine nun Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th-century mystic, poet, composer, natural philosopher, and physician, as well as a canny ecclesiastical administrator. But in this film by writer-director Margarethe von Trotta, loosely based on contemporaneous evidence (including Hildegard's own writings), she's primarily a proto-feminist figure, a woman who made her way into a position of great authority and renown in a male-dominated world. Of course, for dramatic purposes, Hildegard (portrayed here by Barbara Sukowa) remains a creature of passion as well as reason, with her very humanity—especially her feelings for a young protégée—sometimes proving dangerous. While the film shows—in a style appropriately stark and somber—Hildegard's increasing prominence as an artist and scholar whose divine visions, after initial skepticism, are accepted by ecclesiastical higher-ups (and political figures), the chief focus concerns her conflicts with powerful men and affection for Richardis (Hannah Herzsprung), a younger woman who joins the order out of admiration for Hildegard and becomes her chaste confidant and closest friend. Arguably more about von Trotta's political views regarding liberated womanhood than the supposed spiritual experiences of the historical Hildegard, this is nevertheless an impressive work. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a conversation at the Goethe-Institut New York with director Margarethe von Trotta and writer Robert Boyers (40 min.), a tribute and Q&A with von Trotta featuring star Barbara Sukowa and professor Annette Insdorf at the Telluride Film Festival (27 min.), von Trotta's interview with critic Gary Giddins at Telluride (12 min.), a booklet (with location notes, interviews, and a historical timeline), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid biographical drama.] (F. Swietek)