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Alexandrine Tinne, Dutch explorer, died at the age of 33, and for what? (...)
In 2007, artist and filmmaker BarBara Hanlo made a beautiful film about her life, Like a Fly to the Flame. The moving images consist of restlessly filmed photographs and ominous shots of objects in the desert - glasses the size of flower vases on their sides, a candlestick with arms stuck in the sand. We hear Alexine speak in letters, reflecting on her wanderlust, which she explains as 'perhaps out of instinct, As a fly drawn to the flame.'
De Groene Amsterdammmer, July 8, 2020
Female explorers, Roos van der Lint.
Watch the entire film at IFFR Unleashed >
In an inventive and above all cinematographic and essayist way, As a Fly Drawn to the Flame tries to solve a riddle. Why did a young lady from very affluent circles in 19th century The Hague choose an extremely dangerous life? Why did that lady in the era of salons and corsets set off for the African desert?
The film is about the life of Alexandrine Pieternella Françoise Tinne (1835-1869). In the 19th century there were more explorers from noble or at least affluent backgrounds that set off for the blank spots on what was then the map of the world, but Alexandrine Tinne was still fairly unusual as a woman.
The film, made from the perspective of the home front, travels more through time than across the world. Using old photographs, feeling and seeking with the camera, a strikingly lively picture is sketched of the adventures of the traveller. The old images are filmed loosely and nimbly and mixed with fictional shots. These include for instance the remains of the caravan of the last, fatal journey by Alexandrine Tinne and images of a chronicler (played by the Algerian-Dutch director Karim Traïdia) who tries to formulate his vision of the puzzle in dressing gown with a quill pen.
Another striking element for a historical film: the film maker did everything herself, from script to camera and from directing to sound. So it is a film about two dauntless ladies. (GjZ)
IFFR 2007
Daily News IFFR, january 2007 SELECTIE
Interview KB.NL Magazine of the Royal Library, July 2008
De Groene Amsterdammer, September 20, 2007
'I will interview director BarBara Hanlo on Saturday 19 January, following the screening of her film As a fly to the flame (62 min.), In film theater Rialto in Amsterdam. 16.00 hours.
I have already seen the film, and it is a small wonder that someone can make something so beautiful. I didn't know Barbara Hanlo as an artist yet, but I look forward to meeting her. If you can see this movie anywhere (who knows, maybe on TV), DON'T MISS HIM.'
Hanneke Groenteman (website January 2008) Rialto Podium 7, Amsterdam January 2008
Institut Néeerlandais, Paris, 2008
The Egyptian Gazette, December 4 2009
Information
Close‘I don’t especially long to see America or Australia, but Africa – I can’t explain it myself – perhaps out of instinct, as a fly drawn to the flame,’ wrote Alexandrine Tinne in 1860. What inspired a rich young woman, part of high society in 19th century The Hague, to travel as if possessed, as a fly drawn to the flame, to Africa? What is that instinct?
Alexandrine Tinne (1835-1869) was someone who lived on the edge. She had the courage to choose for herself. After her mother and her staff died leaving her alone in Egypt, she decided never to return to The Hague. She would continue travelling. Her undertakings became more and more dangerous. She was warned of the risks she faced but no one could hold her back. Her instinct dominated!
The film ‘As a fly drawn to the flame’ is made from the perspective of one who stayed at home, and who, having read Alexandrine’s letters, envisions what has happened. Photography has dictated the form of the film: Alexandrine Tinne was one of the first women to make use of the new medium, and more importantly, it was during the time of her travels that the Orient was first photographed in order to show true images to those back home in Europe. It is a 21st century journey of discovery through the archives where the 19th century photos lie in storage. A film in which ‘the adventure’ in between the lines becomes visible.
Specifications
language: Dutch/English subtitles
running time: 62 minutes
première: International Film Festival Rotterdam 2007
director: BarBara Hanlo
scenario: BarBara Hanlo
production: PEP
sales: PEP / Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam
camera: BarBara Hanlo
editor: Jan Wouter van Reijen
sound: BarBara Hanlo/Frank van der Weij
cast: Karim Traïdia
festivals and screenings: International Filmfestival Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2007 / Dutch Film Festival Utrecht, The Netherlands 2007 / Calabria Filmfestival Consenza, Italië 2007/ Filmtheater Rialto Amsterdam, The netherlands 2008 / Instituut Néerlandais Paris, France 2008/ Netherlands-Flemish Institute In Cairo, Egypt 2009 / Filmmuseum Amsterdam, International Women's Day 2010 / Pulchri Studio' Den Haag 2012
Online streming: IFFR Unleashed
Rialto Podium
'I interview director BarBara Hanlo on Saturday 19 January, following the screening of her film As a fly to the flame (62 min.), In film theater Rialto in Amsterdam. 16.00 hours.
I have already seen the film, and it is a small wonder that someone can make something so beautiful. I didn't know Barbara Hanlo as an artist yet, but I look forward to meeting her. If you can see this movie anywhere (who knows, maybe on TV), DON'T MISS HIM.'
Hanneke Groenteman (website January 2008)
