Summary
In a poignant exploration of artistic fervor and the treacherous currents of human desire, Mauritz Stiller's 1916 silent drama, "Vingarne," meticulously renders the tragic trajectory of a master sculptor, Claude Zorn, whose world is irrevocably altered by the arrival of a charismatic young painter, Mikaël. Zorn, a towering figure in the art world, finds in Mikaël not merely a model for his magnum opus, "Icarus," but a muse, an emotional anchor, and perhaps, a reflection of his own youthful, unbridled spirit. Their profound, almost symbiotic bond, steeped in shared artistic ambition and an unspoken intimacy, forms the very crucible of Zorn's creative resurgence. However, this delicate equilibrium is shattered by the seductive intrusion of the calculating countess, Diana, whose beauty ensnares both men. Mikaël, drawn to her worldly allure, unwittingly becomes a pawn in a destructive game of hearts, while Zorn, consumed by an agonizing blend of possessive love, artistic jealousy, and paternal despair, witnesses the erosion of his most cherished connection and the very inspiration that fueled his genius. The film, framed by the somber auction of Zorn's estate, unravels a devastating narrative of creation, betrayal, and the ultimate, solitary price of an artist's devotion.
An adaptation of Herman Bang's 1902 novel "Mikaël." A sculptor befriends a young painter who becomes his model. Their friendship is thrown into turmoil when they both fall in love with the same woman.
