'Opera is Us' project
The "Opera Is Us" project seeks to illuminate pertinent social issues by extracting an operatic aria from its original context and creating a short film based on the aria's music. Each film uses the aria as a soundtrack to specifically address and highlight a distinct social issue, merging the emotional power of opera with visual storytelling.
Magura
The whole short film will be revealed very soon.
Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, enjoy the teaser and the trailer.
The short film "Magura" is dedicated to the missing people of war, both in Ukraine and globally. The film blends Ukrainian mythology with modern storylines, highlighting cultural and historical elements. It features Magura, a Ukrainian pagan goddess of war and victory, who appears in the film’s climax. The narrative is divided into three parts: a serene pre-war past, the harsh realities of conflict using documentary footage, and a hopeful victorious future merging myth with reality.
The constant soundtrack, featuring Handel's aria "Cara Sposa" with its repetitive 'Where are you?' lyrics, accentuates themes of loss and hope, aligning with the film’s emotional journey.
Symbolism is present throughout, including a recurring pair of dark green boots representing the ongoing spirit of Ukrainian resistance. The wristbands, coloured in Ukrainian hues, symbolise those missing in the war and are later connected to the goddess in the film, representing her protection over them.
The third part of the short movie takes place one year after Ukraine won the war, depicted through a flyer that a little girl is holding, representing the nation's victory and hope for a peaceful future.
The film concludes with a touching soundtrack during the credits, which are integral to the film: a young child sings a Ukrainian song typically sung by a father to his little daughter.
With her father missing, the child attempts to recreate the song herself, inadvertently mixing up the words. This poignant moment is followed by her mother's gentle giggle and loving rendition of the song as it should be sung, stepping in for her missing husband and singing from a male perspective, adding a layer of deep emotional resonance to the film's conclusion.
Directed by Ukrainian-British Anna Starushkevych, an opera singer driven by the personal tragedy of a close relative going missing at the front, 'Magura' is both a tribute to Ukrainian resilience and a plea for remembrance and resolution amid the ongoing war, as well as a homage to all those fighting for their freedom around the world.
The film’s central theme is one of hope and faith: the hope for the return of the missing, and the unwavering faith that good will once again triumph over evil.
"Magura" aims to spark discussions and fundraise to support those affected by the issue it highlights by featuring the film at various multidisciplinary discussion events, classical music performances and film festivals. The film had its world premiere in Münster, Germany, in April 2024.