Vision - Aus dem Leben der Hildegard von Bingen

The film is named Vision. It is very appropriate as the music that weaves the visuals to greater experiences by the viewer is from the CD of Hildegard's music by Richard Souther called by the same name, Vision. music) both stir the soul of her demographic to height upon height. Well done German filmmakers!!! The film was visually stunning. It is difficult to tell the tale of the most powerful female in Western Culture and do it in a universal manner. It is obvious that this film had a team that had their own Vision to do more than make a film, but create a digital film footprint of a globally known and loved academic, spiritual, and feminist historical icon and mentor.

I am not sure what to think of this depiction of Hildegard von Bingen, about whom most people (self included) know nearly nothing. One might think that if you're going to bother making a film about someone who lived hundreds of years ago, that must be because, either she has been neglected in the annals of history, or she has been misconstrued by historians up until now. Because hardly anyone knows anything about this woman, Vision may be their first introduction to her life. So what is shown ends up being very important, as it shapes the viewers' opinions of the woman.

Was Hildegard a petty lesbian who feigned illness to get her way? That is the image I find here conveyed. There is no actual coverage of what she may have accomplished. What did she accomplish, pray tell? My impression is that the filmmaker is not religious and so wanted to reveal the human-all-too-human of a woman who may have suffered from schizophrenia and would surely have been dosed with some sort of happy pills, were she alive today.

I am Orthodox and the lives of Catholic saints are , for me,not more than nice episodes from good people existence. not the visions, not stigmata, not crumbs of piety are arguments for their sainthood. so, this movie was a source of delight. because it is tale of a woman. a real woman, far from aura or perfect gestures. a woman of a time. a victim and a conquerer. with falls and victories. a honest portrait, not very credible but honest ,about a human been in search of Truth. front against temptations. almost prey of them. sketch of Rennaiseance , she is a revolutionary and her fight fruit of strange visions. the central ingredient - images. the sweet part - exaggerations. many and amusing.but intention to give a not pink/fake portrait is good thing. and so, poor Hildegard has a honest portrait.

Independent German film was for decades the mainstay of the European cinematography. Brave, original thinking and the courage of the expression made it a breath of fresh air for the movie lovers. Unfortunately these days are long gone. Almost everybody tries so hard to be hip and Hollywoodlike. If we explode few things and simplify the plot for every simpleton, how can we miss? Well, we miss time and time again. The eternal beauty of filmmaking is about trying and having an idea, and a story to tell. It seems that there are no stories left to tell, or there are no people left who like the stories to be told to them." Vision" is a strange, unfinished movie, but it is an honest attempt to feel and think, and that is all one needs in this art form.

Films about spiritual teachers tend to be solemn affairs, although anybody who has spent time with a mystic knows they often possess charismatic charm and a subversive sense of humor. 'Vision' is an uninspired biopic about Hildegard Von Bingen, who was a Benedictine nun in medieval Germany. History relates she taught her own method of contemplation, became the 'magistra' of her order, founded two convents, and wrote books on medicine and musical composition. Her teachings discouraged severe ascetic practices, reflecting her belief that God intended humans to pursue contented lives devoted to hard work, charity and spiritual invocation.

'Vision' focuses on various intrigues within Hildegard's world of nuns, monks and bishops, as well as the nobility who provided financial backing for cloistered orders. No doubt there was some jealousy within that circle which obstructed some of her endeavors, but she was a formidable figure in 12th century Germany, traveling widely on preaching tours at a time when women were traditionally banned from such pursuits. Hildegard's contemplative disciplines were a crucial aspect of her life's work but being impossible to film, they are mostly ignored in favor of her worldly activities. The acting and cinematography are sufficient for the task at hand, but anyone hoping to learn about Hildegard's esoteric philosophy is likely to be disappointed.