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“Girl with Black Balloons” Wows ‘Em at Edinburgh

Well, we’re a bit late in announcing it, but a film about under appreciated Chelsea Hotel artist Bettina was recently shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.  The film, “Girl with the Black Balloons” by Dutch filmmaker Corinne van der Borch chronicles Bettina’s life and artwork, the latter reputedly rejected by the Museum of Modern Art because they said it couldn’t be the work of one  Blackballoon1  person.  Though I have yet to see van der Borch’s film, I do know that the title refers to a rather large bunch of black balloons that one morning appeared mysteriously floating above Bettina’s wheelchair.  It wasn’t mysterious that they were floating, of course, since they were filled with helium, but Bettina just didn’t know how they got there. Well, at last, the mystery has been solved: I put them there!

Sandra Weimar, a German photographer, was using them for a photo shoot in Madonna's sex room for a fashion spread for one of the international edition's of Vogue and when she was done she gave them to me.  I knew Bettina would like them. 
 

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12140780&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=94151b&fullscreen=1

Girl With Black Balloons Trailer from wondertimefilms on Vimeo

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3 responses to ““Girl with Black Balloons” Wows ‘Em at Edinburgh”

  1. Georgia Griffin Avatar
    Georgia Griffin

    fantastic!! give Bettina our love – her wonderful piece “Truncation” is hanging proudly in our home. i love the black balloon story and it’s lovely to see this piece.

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  2. corinne van der borch Avatar
    corinne van der borch

    I’m happy you discovered my film Girl with Black Balloons and you know what, Sandra Weimar has actually contacted me to tell me this coincidental story!I’m happy to see the black balloons have been so inspiring to us all! Also thought I’d mention the fact that the film was chosen for ‘Best of the Fest’at the Edinburgh International Film festival 2010. We had 3 sold out screenings and I would love to share some of the reactions people have emailed me, I am so overwhelmed every time I read them….
    Subject: Impressed
    Message: I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your film – I saw it as ‘best of the fest’ in Edinburgh today. It was extremely poignant and moving whilst utterly fascinating and thought provoking – I am left with a barrage of questions (which is the sign of a good film!!).
    Bettina was not only riveting viewing, but your, at times, tender relationship was endearing and her work was great!!! i loved the reflections of the people from above and the Barbara kruger-like newspapers! I hope you have lots of well deserved good luck with this project, I will look out for both you and Bettina’s work in the future…..xx
    Subject: blown away
    Message: Hey Corinne
    Amazing! What an incredible woman. What an incredible film you have made. I’m deeply touched. by the end I was dying to go to her apartment & say yes yes I will exhibit everything.
    Fragile but hard as nails, fantastically astute & sharp, frighteningly intelligent, I would find her quite intimidating.
    If you get time, please keep me informed about Bettina. That woman (if she only had her teeth done) would pass for early 60s but I’m sure I need to add another decade or two. I was so glad your film ended on a high. Someone embracing new technology for her creative purposes – brilliant!
    All the very best for your film.
    I saw it at Edinburgh – wonderful!
    Subject: Edinburgh Film Festival Screening 19/06/2010
    Message: Hi Corrine,
    I was at yesterday’s screening of your film ‘Girl with Black Balloons’ in Edinburgh and wanted to let you know how much I loved it. Bettina’s work is both beautiful and visionary. Your relationship and interaction with Bettina in the film was so touching and loved the moments of defiance, deflection, humor and revelation. Bettina is wonderful and I hope she gets to see her incredible work exhibited.
    I was unable to stay for the Q&A afterwards as I was doing the Moonwalk last night and have to get away in time to make registration but would have liked to ask how Bettina is now and whether there are any upcoming exhibitions (I actually had a lot of questions and am kicking myself that I was unable to stay, but this one is probably the most prominent).
    Thanks for the great film.
    Subject: EIFF
    Message: Hi,
    I’ve just seen your film at the EIFF and echo many of the comments made afterwards, in that it is such a beautiful, moving and respectful film. Bettina’s talent and character are astounding in many ways and I really have been strongly affected by seeing this portrait of her.
    I was wondering if the Hotel Chelsea has now stopped trying to get her to move out?
    It is sad that so much of her life has been hidden, but this opportunity for sharing now, is amazing. Now she seems ready to do it and you have played such an important role in this. I could go on and on! In short, brilliant. I wish you both every success in the promotion of it and hope it continues to reach audiences everywhere.
    Subject: Edinburgh screening
    Message: Hi,
    I have just seen the screening of your film at the Edinburgh Film festival and wanted to waste no time in telling you what an amazing piece of work it is. You have captured beautifully the true essence of Bettina and I still cannot get over that she is not a world renowned artist as her work is incredible. I am just starting to develop a passion for photography myself and both your way of shooting the film and the photography by Bettina herself has been inspirational to me. Is there anyway of being able to purchase a copy of this documentary as I would love to have the opportunity to share it with some of my friends who were not able to make the screening?
    Thank you so much for sharing your film with us and I wish you every luck in the future with your further work.

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  3. lynne jordan Avatar
    lynne jordan

    I’m in! i have to see this film. Great trailer!

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