Chilean painter inspires a film in Germany

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BERLIN.- The Chilean painter now settled in Germany, Hernando León, is to be honored with a film that covers his artistic trajectory in the city of Dresden, where he has spent an important portion of his life.

The film "Road to Ithaca", by director Heidrun Sünderhauf, reunites the most significant moments in Leon's life, and portrays the artist as a nomad who has spent his life between Chile and Germany.

A native of Yungay, Hernando León completed his studies in Art and Mural Painting at the University of Santiago and first traveled to Germany in 1958 to study at the Dresden Academy of Art.

Upon his return to Chile he worked as an academic and following the coup of September 11, 1973, he migrated first to Peru, and then returned to Germany to the University of Dresden.

In this city León was able to take up both his artistic and scholarly vocations, where, now, for more than a decade he has been working out of his home workshop as a painter and animated filmmaker.

The artist helped to erect the International Museum of Contemporary Graphics at the Chillán municipal Cultural Center by contributing more than 80 pieces from his private collection in 1996.

The movie, one hour in duration, has received support from the Cultural Council of Saxony and will be screened next September 30th in Dresden, coinciding with the 75th birthday celebration of the artist.