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Both the film’s title and the exhibition are rich in exposition and self-evident in their themes. In the case of the film, there is a call for recognition that culturally and historically, society was organized around women – through goddess worship, medicine and herbalism, at times as warriors and huntresses, dance, ritual, art, and of course, in fertility and motherhood.
Bonfires on April 30th, rooted in pagan origins, were historically lit to honor female deities and ward off the darkness, cold, and “evil” of winter, making way to celebrate spring renewal. The Catholic Church later co-opted this day to celebrate Saint Walpurga, credited with a special ability to keep the witches away.
In Marieli Fröhlich’s film, the fire returns with a new purpose—no longer destructive but protective, like an animistic guardian. It reverses the symbol into a call to action against retrograde currents, celebrating the primal power of femininity as both the essence of creativity and the foundation of a sustainable, evolving matrilineal civilization.
Steven Pollock writer, curater 

WHAT’S HAPPENING? Art in the Life of Gertie Fröhlich, a film by Marieli Fröhlich 2023 was awarded Best Documentary at the New Jersey International Film Festival and Berlin Woman Cinema festival. It was nominated in Kolkata Fest 5 International Film festival, Tokyo International Cinema Awards and Montreal Woman Film Festival in 2025.