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TWO PART SCREENING:

1. INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR JULIE TAYMOR

About the unique Japanese cast and how elements of Greek art from the  Cyclades Island found their way in this production.
20 Minutes: English

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2. OEDIPUS REX (1993)

WRITTEN BY IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) AND JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963)
DIRECTED BY JULIE TAYMOR

JAP | 1993 | ENGLISH Subtitles | 59 minutes

Oedipus rex is an "Opera-oratorio in two acts after Sophocles" by Igor Stravinsky, scored for orchestra, speaker, soloists, and male chorus. The libretto, based on Sophocles's tragedy, was written by Jean Cocteau in French and then translated by Abbé Jean Daniélou into Latin. The narration, however, is performed in the language of the audience, in this version in Japanese.
 
A son is born to a young couple. The father, motivated by jealousy, takes the baby into the desert to be abandoned. The child is rescued, named Oedipus by King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth and raised as their own son. When Oedipus learns of a prophecy foretelling that he will kill his father and marry his mother, he leaves Corinth believing that Polybus and Merope are his true parents.

On the road to Thebes, Oedipus meets Laius, his biological father, and kills him after an argument. Later Edipo solves the riddle of the Sphinx. For freeing the kingdom of Thebes from the Sphinx's curse Oedipus is rewarded with kingship and marriage to queen Jocasta, who is his biological mother. When they discover what they have done, fulfilling the prophecy, Oedipus blinds himself and Jocasta commits suicide.