Nico, 1988

By a Warholian act of magic, Nico (aka. Christa Päffgen) became world famous with The Velvet Underground 1967 – as the mysterious, tall blonde with the deep, sensual voice. Some 20 years later, the ghost of her fame will not stop tormenting her. Nico’s career is in about as good shape as the beaten-up van in which she travels through Europe; the despondent and heroin addicted artist has no more faith left in anything – possibly apart from her son, who is reluctantly along for the tour.

Susanna Nicchiarelli’s intense Nico, 1988 plays out well outside of the traditional, glamorous biopic clichés and focuses rather on portraying the final two years of its charismatic subject. It is the woman behind the icon that fascinates Nicchiarelli; the tortured and paranoid Nico, who feeds off her past fame while still dreaming to be free of it all. Who shines in the spotlight and wilts in its shadow, all the while searching for the strength to turn her back on everything, move to the countryside and become reacquainted with her son Ari.

This is a sincere and engaging portrait, which will appeal to far more than the inner circle of Nico fans. Danish actor Trine Dyrholm brings life to Nico herself, with body, soul, a lot of courage, and a wonderful singing voice, in one of her best performances ever. Nico, 1988 won Best Film at last year’s prestigious Venice Film Festival, and has since been screened worldwide.

Susanna Nicchiarelli (b. 1975) studied at the National Film School in Rome. She is a director and writer, and made a name for herself with the feature film Cosmonauta (2009). Her latest film, about Nico, won the award for Best Film in the Horizons side section of the Venice film festival in 2017.