Opera on Film: SHORTS – THE OPERA WE MADE
Part of Opera Philadelphia’s Opera on Film series
An evening of short films commissioned for the Opera Philadelphia Channel in 2021, making their theatrical debuts.
SAVE THE BOYS
FOUR/TEN MEDIA | USA | 2021 | 21:02 MIN | NR | ENGLISH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Tyshawn Sorey’s world premiere inspired by an 1887 poem by abolitionist, writer, and Black women’s rights activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, performed by countertenor John Holiday and pianist Grant Loehnig.
BLESSED
TIONA NEKKIA MCCLODDEN | USA | 2021 | 22:02 MIN | NR | ENGLISH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Composer Courtney Bryan’s multi-layered exploration of darkness and light, hope and love, created as a response to the milestone events of 2020, starring soprano Janinah Burnett, vocalist Damian Norfleet.
THE ISLAND WE MADE
MATTHEW PLACEK | USA | 2021 | 10:00 MIN | NR | ENGLISH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
A haunting lullaby formed from the memories and individual relationships of its collaborators—acclaimed composer Angélica Negrón, drag superstar Sasha Velour (beloved winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9), and renowned filmmaker Matthew Placek.
WE NEED TO TALK
MAUREEN TOWEY | USA | 2021 | 10:44 MIN | NR | ENGLISH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Soprano Ariadne Greif stars as a young woman in conversation with herself, reminiscent of our isolated days of quarantine: days of frustration, joy, and grief. With music by Caroline Shaw, based on a poem by Anne Carson.
TAKTAKSHOO
JEFFREY L PAGE | USA | 2021 | 11:58 MIN | NR | ENGLISH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Composer Rene Orth’s fusion of opera and K-pop, marimba, electronics, and dance, that creates an eclectic sound and movement world. With a libretto by playwright Kanika Ambrose, the film stars mezzo-soprano Kristen Choi as an energizing life force inviting people to come into the world anew.