The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 22.0009 Monday, 10 January 2011
From: Bo Bergstrom <
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>
Date: December 25, 2010 6:34:09 PM EST
Subject: Independent Film Version of MSD
www.MidsummerNightFilm.com .
The cast and crew from Virus Theater, led by director Bo Bergstrom
(maker of ten short films and two features), transformed low-budget
into a high-creativity fusion of cinematic energy, dynamic editing,
distinctive imagery, graphics and tints from the digital paintbox.
Unusual locations, dreamlike incongruities and ambiguity may challenge
audience expectations about this familiar work.
What would a film made on a shoestring budget look like that was
created by amateur actors with no Classics credentials, who were
determined to shine? An unlikely group of amateur Shakespeareans
created this cinematic vision of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the
rugged mountains and forests of the Southwest U.S. With women playing
some of the male roles, for most of the actors this was their first
film work. Opening up the play and leaving film studios behind, Nature
takes center stage: high mountain ledges provide the throne for Fairy
King Oberon as he looks down upon the antics of the silly lovers, and
pine trees provide perches for his servant, Puck. After Puck
transforms him with a donkey-head, Nick Bottom suddenly becomes the
only mortal who can see, hear and talk with the fairies and their
queen, Titania. In moving between mortal reality and the realm of the
immortals, Bottom becomes the protagonist of the film.
William Shakespeare's most popular comedy was written around 1595. It
portrays the adventures of four star-crossed lovers and a group of
amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and
duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest,
there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, young lovers, a
weaver who's transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and
elves. This work is widely performed around the globe, and no wonder -
it's about the world's most popular pastime, falling in love. But as
Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all!
Music by Joseph Rivers. At 157 minutes, this new DVD is the most
complete film version (fewest text cuts), and it's the only one with
cinematic playfulness to resonate with Shakespeare's brilliant
wordplay.
Please visit our site www.MidsummerNightFilm.com for film trailers,
photos, music, Shakespeare film links and a serious essay, and our
DVD.
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