POW Film Fest: The Haendel Variations

The Haendel Variations screens as part of POW Film Fest in Portland at 7 pm, March 28, at Clinton Street Theater. POW Film Fest is  Portland’s premiere film festival showcasing films directed by women, women-identified and non-binary filmmakers.

The documentary The Haendel Variations provides an intimate look at legendary Jewish British-Polish violinist Ida Haendel. While Haendel’s career spanned seven decades, Polish filmmaker Christine Jezior decided to focus on her life after her final performance.

Shot between 2009 and 2017, we see Handel as she navigates life after the stage. Despite being one of the most important classical musicians of the 20th century, she is not immune to the loneliness and challenges that come as one ages. Throughout the documentary we see her going through a range of emotions including nostalgia, happiness and hopefulness.

Ida Haendel is a person of wisdom and humor, whole-heartedly accepting the challenge of spending her remaining years in a self-determined way. Though at some point she has to accept she can’t play the violin anymore, she refuses to stop singing. “The Haendel Variations” is not an ordinary music documentary, not just another portrait of a world-renowned classical musician. Its rather restrained, more intimate approach focuses on the inner life of an extraordinary woman and on the two things that still give her life meaning: her love for music and for her fellow human beings.

Now in its 12th year, the festival proudly highlights the work of some of today’s brightest directors and honors the pioneers who paved the way for the next generation of filmmakers.

POW Film Fest’s mission is to include all women and non-binary voices, regardless of race, class, age, religion, abilities, sexuality or gender expression.

POW also offers year-round film workshops for girls and non-binary youth ages 15 -19 through

our POWGirls Program.

12th POW Film Fest lineup

March 27-31, 2019, at Hollywood Theatre, Clinton Street Theater and Holocene.

Tickets and schedule available at powfilmfest.com.