At first glance, the day-to-day life of septuagenarian Ingrid Gipson might strike some as a cruel sentence of hard labor, but that’s far from the truth. In Ingrid, we see her indulge in back-breaking work, hauling heavy stones that would challenge a woman or man half her age. But her adopted wilderness home, built from the rocks we see her purloin from the National Forest, and the hardships and joys of her existence are all part of the life she passionately leads.
“Eventually, pressure from her job came to a breaking point…”
Morrisa Maltz’s stunningly beautiful portrait of this rugged individualist helps us understand why Gipson decided to retreat from her former life as a Texas fashion designer and socialite. We also get an up-close view of the rewards she reaps from her all but solitary existence.
A native of Germany, she married a soldier after the war and moved with him to Texas. The couple had one child, and eventually divorced. She married again and had another child. In the 1980s she worked as a fashion designer and lived a comfortable, if extremely busy life as a mother and working woman. Eventually, pressure from her job came to a breaking point. After buying land in Oklahoma and making frequent trips there, she left he job. Her second marriage dissolved and she made Oklahoma her home.
The film, splendidly photographed by Andrew Hajek, takes its time in telling its story. At a lean 51 minutes, the filmmaker has seen to it that every frame counts. Scenes of Ingrid at work — and she does seem to be constantly working — are accompanied by voiceover in which she talks about her passions and her life, including allusions to her brutal childhood under her authoritarian father. Her work is far from drudgery filled, however. She models sculptures from clay and seems to have an artist’s eye for detail. She also raises her own food, including rabbits. One short and not too graphic scene may be one that more squeamish viewers will want to skip.
“At a lean 51 minutes, the filmmaker has seen to it that every frame counts…”
Rather than a mere lifestyle change, Ingrid’s chosen life seems more like a calling. Some might tag her as a hermit, but that would be an oversimplification of her world view. She explains that she didn’t assume her current life to get away from people, but rather to get closer to the simple pleasures that she loves. We see her marvel over the colors in the stones she collects, the beauty of the natural environment she inhabits as well as the serenity that she now enjoys. And the buildings that she’s put up are remarkable in their design and execution; some might wonder if there’s anything that this woman cannot do — from masonry work to birthing calves. Given enough time, material and energy, her creative output would undoubtedly be boundless.
Ingrid (2018) Directed by Morrisa Maltz, starring Ingrid Gipson. Ingrid is playing as part of the 2018 Atlanta Film Festival.
9 out of 10
I’m watching the film now on PBS. I love it and hope I have half the energy she has when I reach 80.
Wow what a women and inspiration. God has brought her into the world too inspire. If I was older I would be chasing her like a love sick rooster. Her life is a model that many can hope to aspire. Truely need to meet this creative and inspirational WOMEN!
Kindred soul, I thought.
I laughed when Ingrid showed her long list of Things To Do and described herself as always behind/late. Ah, a Projects person. I, too have a long list of TTD and projects to do that never seem to become shorter. Always something to do, something to learn in order to do the thing I have to do. And, yes, need oftentimes propels the desire to create. The learning that has to be done is as enjoyable as the process of creating/doing.
My fear about growing old into my 80s is that I would lose my interest in learning and doing. Seeing and learning about Ingrid was very uplifting.
I hope you live many many more years, Ingrid.
I was almost envious last night as I watched you helping the goat birth her baby, comforting the rabbit. I admire you Ingrid, for going after the life you yearned for. Your work is amazing and I hope to come to see all that you have done. I, like you, seem to do better with work and animals than I do with humans. While I seek closeness from humans, there is just something about me that doesn’t let it happen. Maybe a trust issue from childhood, something. Anyway, I admire you so much and cannot wait to come to see your place and your work. Everything I saw on the show last night was so original and fresh and I want to purchase a piece of your work. I pray you continue to enjoy your life and create. Thank you for doing the movie.
What a delightful surprise to find this film on PBS last night. Ingrid is a beautiful and talented woman – an inspiration. She is so very right – solitude comes with a heavy price sometimes. Thank you for sharing her with us.
From the first time I met Ingrid I felt there was something magical left in the world. Her sculptures inspire our imaginations from the whimsical to the mystical. I am so proud to be able to know such a strong, inspiring woman who lets us know that with hard work and imagination that anything is possible.
I hope the film can eventually come to Oklahoma and Arkansas so that her friends can enjoy the depiction. I am one of her students and a great admirer of her many talents. She is the only person I know I know who can begin with a goat and end up with a gorgeous silk lined mohair suit.
I admire this lady and so glad to call her my friend My late husband and I always cherished the time we spent with her. She is so talented and hard working her treasures that her magic hands bring forth from the clay are truly works of beauty. May God continue to bless her and the people she touches
….this summary is the best yet. It comes very close to how I view my life, thank you for your sensitive approach in describing this film
Ingrid