Thoughts of Infinity
Directed by Halina Dyrschka
Festival do Rio – Rio International Film Festival
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thoughts of Infinity is a feature-length documentary that invites audiences into the artistic and philosophical universe of James Howell, an artist whose lifelong pursuit centered on the “in-between”, the space where opposites dissolve and absolutes give way to nuance. Known for creating more than 400 works exploring subtle tonal transitions, Howell understood gray not as a single color but as a continuum, a reflection of existence itself. His precise yet meditative practice asks us to slow down, to perceive differently, and to encounter a world beyond polarization.
Directed by Halina Dyrschka, acclaimed for her award-winning Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint, the film approaches Howell’s life with the same depth and sensitivity. It unfolds across the landscapes that shaped his vision: his West Village studio in New York City, the luminous horizons of Montauk, and the quiet expanses of San Juan Island. In these environments, Howell immersed himself in Taoist philosophy, quantum physics, and the rhythms of nature, translating them into a language of subtle transitions and infinite variation.
Blending evocative cinematography with archival material and intimate testimony, Thoughts of Infinity traces Howell’s journey through the voices of family, friends, and collaborators. Their reflections illuminate both the artist and the challenges he faced within an art world often driven by spectacle and market visibility — one that frequently overlooked his quiet, uncompromising dedication.
Presented at the Rio International Film Festival, the film resonated strongly with international audiences and critics, further expanding the global recognition of Howell’s work. Moving between biography and meditation, the documentary reveals itself gradually, much like Howell’s paintings, through patience, precision, and attentiveness.
At once a portrait and a philosophical inquiry, Thoughts of Infinity reflects on how Howell’s devotion to the in-between continues to expand the way we see, think, and feel.
Gratitude as well to the extraordinary creative team:
Director: Halina Dyrschka
Creative Producer: Laura Bardier
Director of Photography: Luana Knipfer
Editor: Antje Lass
Original Score: Damian Scholl
Sound Design & Mixing: Niklas Kammertöns
Line Producer: Jessica Kreft
Voiceover: Mike Davies