Nico, 1988

2017, 93 Minutes, DCP, Rated R
Italy, Belgium

Director: Susanna Nicchiarelli

Cast: Trine Dyrholm

Nico, 1988 features a tour de force performance from Trine Dyrholm as the aging Nico (aka Christa Päffgen), interpreting rather than impersonating the famed singer-songwriter as she approaches 50. Leading a solitary existence in Manchester, Nico’s life and career are on the ropes, a far cry from her glamorous days as a Warhol superstar and celebrated vocalist for The Velvet Underground. Nico’s new manager Richard (John Gordon Sinclair) convinces her to hit the road again and tour Europe to promote her latest album. Struggling with her demons and the consequences of a muddled life, she longs to rebuild a relationship with the son Ari (Sandor Funtek) she lost custody of long ago. A brave and uncompromising musician, Nico’s is the story of an artist, a mother, and the woman behind the icon.

 

NYT CRITIC’S PICK:
“Brilliantly unsentimental… Ms. Nicchiarelli, using brief archival flickers of Warhol’s Factory parties, deftly connects the carefree chaos of Päffgen’s past to the dark desperation of her present.” — Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times

“Dyrholm is at her multifaceted best here in the glammed-down, uglified role of an older rock ‘n’ roll star on the skids.” — Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter

“Trine Dyrholm’s performance is searing and forcefully unpleasant in a way we rarely see women on screen.” — Emily Yoshida, Vulture

 

OFFICIAL SELECTION:
Venice Film Festival — Best Film, Horizons Section (Orizzonti)
CPH:PIX
International Film Festival Rotterdam