A new biopic titled *Leonora in the Morning Light* traces the life and work of Surrealist artist and writer Leonora Carrington (1917-2011). Directed by Thor Klein and Lena Vurma and produced by Modern Films, the film opens in 1930s Paris, where Carrington moved among avant-garde figures like Salvador Dalí, André Breton, and her partner Max Ernst. It follows her flight to Spain during World War II and eventual resettlement in Mexico, the country most associated with her art. The screenplay is based on Elena Poniatowska's biographical novel, and the film highlights Carrington's fantastical works created while confined to a psychiatric hospital in Spain—pieces that were lost for 80 years. The film is set for release on May 29 in the U.K. and Ireland.
The biopic arrives at a moment of renewed attention to Carrington's oeuvre, particularly the rediscovered works from her hospitalization, which deepen understanding of her surrealist vision and personal struggles. By focusing on a female Surrealist often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, the film contributes to ongoing efforts to rebalance art-historical narratives. Modern Films, which previously produced documentaries on Hilma af Klint and Jean-Michel Basquiat, continues its track record of spotlighting visionary artists whose stories have been marginalized. This release matters for broadening public engagement with Carrington's legacy and the broader Surrealist movement.