Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen 2009
Distributed by Zeitgeist Films, 247 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-274-1989
Produced by Markus Zimmer
Directed by Margarethe von Trotta
DVD, color, 110 min.
Sr. High - Adult
European Studies, Religious Studies, Women's Studies, Catholic Religion, Middle Ages, Germany
Date Entered: 05/02/2011
Reviewed by Michael Fein, Coordinator of Library Services, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VAThis relatively long production portrays episodes from the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a Benedictine nun from Germany who lived in the 12th century. She was a mystic, a composer, a polymath, and a Benedictine abbess, among many, many other things. She certainly was outspoken and her being a well-known, and respected, woman in those days has inspired feminists and her holistic views of medicine have inspired new-agers. Within the Church she has been beatified with her feast day being 17 September. The production presents a number of episodes from Hildegard’s life in chronological order where we see that she is a woman very serious about her life of faith.
The photography is excellent and is able to keep the focus on Hildegard. The sound is also excellent with the dialogue being all in German not a distraction.
The film may or may not have much of an audience and will fill a niche, but will probably not have any sort of mass appeal. People interested in church or medieval history, or women’s studies will find it interesting.