Richard III: Unto the Kingdom Perpetual Night
2017, 8 minutes
When the imprisoned Duke of Clarence recounts an apocalyptic dream, his jailer fears for what lies ahead…
This film is an exploration of Act One, Scene Four from Shakespeare’s Richard III, in which the imprisoned Duke of Clarence recounts an apocalyptic dream to his jailor. Against the backdrop of the current global crisis, Shakespeare’s images of a world on edge – wrecked ships, drowning men, and the wealth of an entire civilization scattered at the bottom of the sea – seem strikingly relevant, a testament to the timelessness of the text. Cinematically, I thought the dream sequence presented a rather unique opportunity to set the piece within its intended period, but, through the dream, juxtapose images across a span of time – a surreal cycle depicting the human tragedy of war. I used the idea of a “magic door” that opens up and allows the viewer to watch Clarence’ dream alongside him as he narrates. To end the piece, I included a speech from Act Two, Scene Three that I felt captured the mood of our times with extraordinary insight: Now masters, look to see a troublous world… Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear…
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