The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 19.0466 Friday, 15 August 2008
From: Peter Babakitis <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Wednesday, 13 Aug 2008 14:07:21 -0700
Subject: New Henry V Movie Available on DVD
The new film "William Shakespeare's Henry V" is available on DVD from the
official site:
http://www.henrythefifth.com
Cast:
Peter Babakitis, Sabaa, Phil Sheridan, Brian Narelle, Gwyneth Horobin
The director, Peter Babakitis, will be appearing at schools throughout the US
for discussion and Q/A sessions about interpretation, production, and performance.
New Film of Shakespeare's Henry V Sheds Light on Controversial Warrior-King.
Peter Babakitis's new film William Shakespeare's Henry V reveals a darker side
of patriotic ambition. Peter Babakitis, Emmy award-winning director of the film
Kuksu, has created a new digital film experience with William Shakespeare's Henry V.
"I was attracted by this play because I thought it would be fascinating to get
into the mind of this rather cold-blooded killer who believes he's doing God's
work." Explains Mr. Babakitis, "Shakespeare gives us a sinister underside to the
glory of conquest; an aspect of the play that I thought was lacking in other
productions that I've seen."
"He is an isolated character, a victim of his own competence as a leader, and of
the faith placed by others in him. His midnight wandering on the night before
the battle of the most interesting self-reflective writing in all of
Shakespeare, revealing the emptiness in the eye of the storm that this man had
created."
Directing and acting in the same, production proved a challenge to Mr.
Babakitis, and he describes his routine: "I prepared physically for the role
with aikido training, medieval broadsword practice, which is quite different
from modern foil fencing, and hours and hours of horseback riding. I do a kind
of yogic breathing exercise to be able to handle the long speeches. I was also
performing on stage in San Francisco in Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus
during the course of the production as well, so I found I was using a lot of
that work, and the coaching given me by Robert Lundy-Paine, the director of
Frankenstein, who Plays the duke of Orleans in Henry V."
"In the end, I think the play is written in such a way to support the character
of Henry; the other characters create a matrix in which Henry exists, so in a
way -- and I think this is thematic -- he is defined by those around him. He is
profoundly lost, except for his responsibility to the endeavor that he has
created -- and I think this is a very modern condition." "Other Productions that
focus on Henry the patriotic hero miss this important aspect, but it's this
moral ambiguity that I find makes him interesting."
To book a screening and appearance, send emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For group and class discounts on ordering, send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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