Dearest Marianne

As a lifelong fan and admirer of Leonard Cohen, I find myself drawn to the captivating tale of his love story with Marianne Ihlen, immortalized in the moving drama “So Long, Marianne”. The raw emotion and enduring passion that unfolded between these two creative souls on the enchanting island of Hydra in the 1960s continues to captivate us decades later.

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In a world where not many love stories hold such a profound finale, I find myself reflecting on the poignant epilogue of the relationship between Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen. Our romance blossomed in 1960 on the enchanting Greek island of Hydra when we were both just 25 years old. Fast forward to July 2016, years after our separation, Marianne – battling leukemia and nearing her final days in a Norwegian hospital – received an email from me. My words, read aloud to her, carried the weight of a lifetime: “Dearest Marianne, I’m merely trailing behind you, close enough to take your hand. This old body has surrendered, just as yours has too, and the eviction notice is imminent. I’ve never forgotten your love and your beauty. But you know that. I don’t have to say more. Safe travels, dear friend. Until we meet again on a distant path. Love and gratitude. Leonard.

The original email, disseminated by Canadian broadcaster CBC, gained significant popularity. Approximately three months later, Cohen passed away, following a sleep-related fall at his Los Angeles residence. However, the unique bond between Cohen and Ihlen, which served as the muse for numerous timeless songs, continues to captivate public interest and is now the focus of an eight-episode series on ITVX. Titled “So Long, Marianne“, this production features American actor Alex Wolff portraying Cohen and Norwegian Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Ihlen. This drama follows the release of Polly Samson’s 2020 novel “A Theatre for Dreamers“, set in Hydra during the 1960s, as well as Nick Broomfield’s 2019 documentary “Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love“.

Broomfield explains the ongoing fascination by stating, “It’s because it encapsulates a timeless romance that resonated anew through the email.” He had his own affair with lhlen after arriving on Hydra at age 20 in 1968, when Cohen was spending most of his time in New York. Broomfield believes that Leonard never anticipated the email’s message to Marianne would gain such widespread attention. Instead, he believed it was just a private note. However, its profound depiction of enduring love struck a chord with people, as perhaps nothing in our lives matters more than such lasting affection.

He never expected his words to Marianne to go viral

In 1960, Hydra served as a vibrant, free-spirited community of writers, artists, and their families, often living on meager resources. This artistic enclave in the Aegean was fueled by wine and amphetamines. Among its inhabitants were Norwegian author Axel Jensen (portrayed by Jonas Strand Gravli), his wife Marianne Ihlen, and their child, also named Axel. As Jensen departed for the company of American artist Patricia Amlin, Marianne formed a relationship with Leonard Cohen; an affair that led to the creation of the iconic, resonant opening verses of “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye“: “I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm/Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm.

The series emphasizes romantic moments extensively, yet occasionally jumps ahead showing Ilhen on her deathbed in Norway. Unlike their portrayal of Næss and Wolff’s intimate scenes, these moments are depicted with a soft, dreamy effect. However, contrary to the dreamy presentation, in Broomfield’s film, we witness the real moment when Cohen’s final message is revealed to Ihlen, thanks to footage from her friend, Norwegian filmmaker Jan Christian Mollestad. Far from being dreamy, this scene captures Ihlen having her feet massaged by a nurse and laughing at the time. “It’s a truly remarkable piece of cinema,” says Broomfield, who had a long-standing friendship with Ihlen. “Marianne always managed to keep her exceptional sense of humor and curiosity, and you can see she maintained it right up until the end.

Which account is more accurate: the ITV drama or the documentary? It’s possible that both versions hold truth. The drama might present an idealized romance many of us would like to embrace, while the documentary offers a more complex portrayal of the relationship’s personal toll and Marianne’s cultural impact, which she has yet to receive full recognition for. As Broomfield notes, “She had a significant influence on shaping Leonard into the artist he became.” “In those early years, she was his primary supporter,” he continues, “bringing him food and drinks while he worked. She served as a powerful muse; she read his work, offered insights, and contributed to it.

Despite not receiving official credit, Ihlen significantly contributed to some of Cohen’s most iconic songs, as suggested by Broomfield. Particularly, the song “Bird on the Wire” is attributed to her influence. According to Broomfield, “Marianne shared that Leonard was deeply depressed and unproductive at the time. They had just installed electricity in Hydra, and birds were perched on the new wires. This observation was particularly meaningful because they all feared electricity would modernize and ruin their beloved Hydra. The conversation revived Leonard’s spirits, enabling him to create again. This is a clear demonstration of how she could directly influence his mood, inspire him to move forward, and that was one of her extraordinary talents.

By the 1970s, the fame from his Hydra songs had engulfed Cohen, and visits to the island became infrequent. Ihlen eventually returned to Norway and remarried, but their bond remained strong. As Cohen expresses in “Bird on a Wire,” he strived for freedom in his own way. However, neither of them truly achieved it.

2024-10-21 18:40

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