Altina 2014

Altina Schinasi (1907-1999) was a fascinating enigma, embodying both seductive charm and reserved elegance. Her upbringing may have been sheltered, but it stood in stark contrast to the bold and daring sexuality expressed through her artwork. In the 1930s, she became a fashion icon with her innovative design of Harlequin eyeglasses, setting trends that captivated the public and showcased her extraordinary vision.

This documentary, Altina, is an engaging, provocative, and deeply insightful exploration of a remarkable American trendsetter who was truly ahead of her time. Unconstrained by academic formalities, Altina wielded her profound intellect to transform pieces of her life into striking sculptures that vividly illustrated her surreal and unique worldview.

Her art was not merely whimsical; it also grappled with pressing social issues. For instance, her film on George Grosz probed the Holocaust, earning her an Oscar nomination as well as the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Throughout her life, she formed meaningful relationships, including a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr., which underscored her commitment to societal change. During the Red Scare, she took a courageous stand by sheltering director John Berry, who had been blacklisted for his documentary on the Hollywood Ten, within her Beverly Hills home.

As a sculptor, relationships were central to her most innovative works, which she referred to as chairacters. These pieces poignantly depicted either the presence of love or its absence, presenting figures that stood in quiet contemplation while embodying Altina’s unrestrained feminist sexuality. The documentary paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose artistry and life were bound together, leaving a legacy as striking as her creations.