While much of the globe is focused on the Paris Olympics, a movie filmed from ancient Olympia starring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato premiered this week that uses music to spark contemplation of creation and carnage.
"Eden in Olympia" opens by posing a pair of questions as day breaks over a river: "In the heart of Olympia, the sun ignites the flame and humanity joins as one. Here, music and nature together demonstrate the power of existing in a world that thrives in harmony and balance. Will we answer the call? Will we return to Eden?"
In a series of scenes set to music from Baroque to Mahler's "Ruckert-Lieder" through "The First Morning of the World" by Academy Award-winner Rachel Portman, director Olivier Simonnet visualizes DiDonato's audio recording released two years ago, a call to action on climate change.
"I find it comforting to know that this isn't the first time we've been facing difficult things as a species on the planet, but we do have the power to set things right," DiDonato said this week. "You join hands and you raise your voices together. You create something harmonious. You appreciate the beauty. You say thank you to everything has been given to you."
Her first appearance is leaning against a leafy tree, wearing an earth-tone Zeus+Dione dress with a dream-like gaze and holding branches. Children emerge from woods with looks of astonishment to Charles Ives' "The Unanswered Question," carrying paper lanterns as darkness turns to dawn.
