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This film is an adaptation of Shakespeare's MacBeth

Critically-acclaimed as one of the most daring Shakespeare films ever made, Abela’s black-and-white, almost silent, mostly improvised transplantation of ‘the Scottish Play’ to the remote sand-dunes of Madagascar features ghostly visions, animal sacrifice, and soundscapes as spell-binding as the story.

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+ Discussion with the Director: Alexander Abela

We are very excited to announce that the director, Alexander Abela will be present for this screening, to introduce and discuss his film with the audience.

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SHOT WITH LOCAL FISHERMEN ON AN ISLAND OFF AFRICA

“For his first feature film, director Alexander Abela went against all the advice of seasoned professionals by going off to Madagascar with a film crew of just two, himself and the sound designer Jeppe Jungersen, to film an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth together with a cast of local tribesmen and women as actors.

For the location they chose Faux Cap, an isolated community of Antandroy fishermen at the southern most tip of the island. It is to these people, most of whom had never seen a film before let alone television, that Alexander suggested devising Makibefo. Improvisation was the name of the game and from the canvas of Macbeth they adapted the play for the screen.”

From Scoville Film

NEARLY SILENT, IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

The text of Shakespeare was adapted, and the actors speak in their local language: the Malagasy. The film however is nearly silent, and features hardly any dialogue.

“Stripped down thesping and filming are exceptional. The Antandroy actors appear to have easily incorporated some of their own customs (plus many not their own) into the playing. Lensing is distinguished by dramatic depth-of-field shots and terrific, old-school day for night scenes.”

VARIETY http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117919997?refcatid=31&printerfriendly=true

IN BLACK & WHITE, REMAINDING OF MURNAU AND ORSON WELLS

“Cinematic influences recall the F.W. Murnau/Robert Flaherty collaboration, "Tabu" and Nelson Pereira dos Santos' great black-and-white Cinema Novo work to several of Orson Welles' projects, from "It's All True" to his own "Macbeth."

Yet Abela's pic emerges as an entirely fresh response to Shakespeare that should attract both fans of the Bard and black & white cinema.”

VARIETY http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117919997?refcatid=31&printerfriendly=true

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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: ALEXANDER ABELA

“Alexander Abela was born in Britain in 1965. After extensive studies of physical oceanography, he began a film career in 1997.

Alexander has since produced, written and directed two feature films: Makibefo (1999) and Souli (2004, based on Shakespeare’s Othello).

In 2009, he co-wrote with Rémi Bezançon Zarafah, an animated film which was released in 2011. Alexander is now preparing two other films, Ojo de Agua, and Ventilator Blues, which will start production in 2012.”

- Africulture 

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Film programmed as part of our ALTERNATIVE SHAKESPEARE FILM FESTIVAL (17 June - 5 Juy)

Given upcoming events this summer celebrating Shakespeare, let’s remember that despite these official, establishment celebrations of the writer (and what he represents), Shakespeare also thrives in stranger, alternative forms. Do these rarely-screened films from around the world show The Bard meaning more than he bargained for?

5 films from around the world

Here is a selection of 5 excellent lesser-known, surprising and rarely screened film adaptations of his work. The films all come from different countries: the UK, Japan, the USA, the Soviet Union, and one film is technically British but is set in Madagascar.

Organised with lecturers from Northumbria University + Discussions

This festival was programmed by the Star and Shadow Cinema and lecturers in English literature from Northumbria University. All screenings will be introduced by literature lecturers, specialists of Shakespeare, and will be followed by discussions with the audience.

Formats + Special screening

4 out of 5 of the films will be shown on 35mm – the most beautiful projection format, which is now disappearing from most cinemas. Also, on Sat 23 June, the film Makibefo will be shown in the presence of the director, Alexander Abela, who will introduce and discuss his film with the audience.

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