IM SCHATTEN DER BILDER

This documentary depicts the extraordinary life of expressionist artist Stephanie Hollenstein. Her life is characterized by opposites: born into an impoverished peasant family in Lustenau she rises to influential status within Vienna’s art world. Living openly as a homosexual woman when it was still criminalized, she becomes president of the Association of Women Artists of Austria. Driven by extraordinary willpower she even disguises herself as a man to be able to join the armed forces in World War 1.

At first glance, it is a heroine‘s story. Until she joins the banned Nazi Party in 1934, whose ideals she remains faithful to until her death in 1944. The documentary follows Hollenstein‘s professional and personal life in the context of the political and economic conditions of her time. Her story and the clear parallels to our present allow for reflection.

Birgitta Weizenegger © private photos © WeizeneggerFilm