Évolution (2015)

Alongside the exhibition  ‘Cycle, Portal, Path’ at art space Nest we will screen the mystical film Évolution. ‘Cycle, Portal, Path’ captures the far reaching influence of visual artist Hilma af Klint (1862 – 1944) on contemporary artists where themes such as the cyclical processes in nature, intangible spirituality, and the fascination for new technologies are under investigation. For this occasion, we will screen the surreal and haunting world of Évolution where we travel to an unknown island where only mothers and sons reside. 

About the film

While swimming Nicolas spots a human body with a red starfish on its belly deep under the water. His mother denies he could have seen a body and brings him to the doctor to find out whether he is sick. At the age of eleven Nicolas starts to question his surroundings and from the point of view of human existence, there is a lot going on strangely on the island. 

The habitants of the island live according to a strict regime where the mothers meet during secret nocturnal meetings and the sons all undergo mysterious surgery in the hospital. A haze of enigma encapsulates the island which is marked by a powerful, dark ocean, the volcanic landscape and identical appearances of the inhabitants. Evolution does not give answers but triggers your imagination. Which laws of nature do apply and what belongs to the inexplicable to prolongate life?

Évolution was the second feature of Lucile Hadžihalilović and was praised for its provocative style and cinematic language. It won several prizes at international film festivals such as San Sebastian and Stockholm.