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In a bright room, a woman sits at an easel. She paints trees and animals.

Leonora in the Morning Light

  •   Lena Vurma, Thor Klein
  •   Germany, Mexico, Romania, U.K.

After iconoclastic artist Leonora Carrington trades English life for 1930s Paris, she falls in with giants of the Surrealist movement, including Salvador Dalí and André Breton. But it’s her passionate love affair with German painter Max Ernst that affects her life and work in the most profound manner. Their turbulent relationship sends her on a journey of self-discovery that will eventually take her to Mexico, where she finds a true sense of freedom—and her own unique artistic voice.

Working from the novel by Mexican author and artist Elena Poniatowska, directors Lena Vurma and Thor Klein chronicle key chapters in Carrington’s singular life, depicting the evolution of an artist with nuance and subtlety. Actress Olivia Vinall delivers a perfectly pitched performance as the story’s central figure, portraying Carrington both in her youth and as a more mature woman working in Mexico, where she emerged alongside Frida Kahlo as one of the country’s preeminent creative figures. With its insightful observations of a multifaceted talent whose distaste for the conventional enabled her to live as a true original, Leonora in the Morning Light gives Carrington her due.


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Sponsor(s)

Presented by

Logo: Wintrust in the community 210x89

In partnership with

Logo: National Museum of Mexican Art - 150x100logo: Kennedy-King Collegelogo: Center of Equity for Creative Arts at Kennedy-King Collegelogo: Engelwood Arts Collective 250x125logo: Grow Greater Engelwood

With support from

Logo: Choose Chicago 139x100Logo: DCASE/Chicago Film Office (2025)logo: Illinois Arts CouncilLogo: German Film Office 141x125Logo: Goete Institut - 86x100

Film Patron

Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation

Event Information

Sunday, October 19, 2025
4:45pm

  •   103 minutes
LOCATION
AMC NEWCITY 14
1500 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

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Tickets

Special Guests

Scheduled to attend:
Directors Lena Vurma & Thor Klein and Amy Ernst, granddaughter of artist Max Ernst

Accessibility

Cinema/Chicago is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment at all our programs and events. All event venues are fully wheelchair accessible, with no-step entrances or ramp access and elevators. All venues offer wheelchair-designated spaces, companion seating, easy-access theater seating, and accessible restrooms. For accommodation requests, please email us at access@chicagofilmfestival.com, call us at 312-683-0121, x108, or complete our Accommodation Request Form.

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