SOH29 the Epic, an illustrated screenplay freely based on the story and characters of both the Ramayana (Valmiki) and Othello (Shakespeare).
SOH29 the Epic is a multi-pronged collaborative exhibition involving young
Balinese children ages 6–10, a grand master of professional Balinese Dance, composer David Shea, costume designer Rien Bekkers and multi media artist/filmmaker Alex Vermeulen. The complete project will consist of a of a series of monumental photos, rich costume designs, an inter-active iBook, a musical score and a behind the scenes film.
The dance tradition is very alive in Bali. At the age of 5 these children
began training at the Grya Blangsinga dance school under one of oldest still
performing dancers in Bali, senior grand master IB Oka Wirjana (1929).
In September 2013 Wirjana celebrated his 75th anniversary as a professional dancer and he is highly regarded as a monument to traditional Balinese Dance.
THE NARRATIVE: The new epic is situated in an Asian Metropolis named Raksasa Kota (City of the Future), and takes place in 2088. Our story is loosely based on both the Hindu Epic the Ramayana (Valmiki) and the Tragedy Othello (Shakespeare). The Ramayana is an epic of Gods, Demons and Avatars which takes place in an imaginary world in contrary to the more realistic tragedy Othello that takes place in Venice. The protagonists in Othello find their alter egos in
similar characters of the Ramayana. Both are stories of love, hate, betrayal, jealousy, murder… classic themes which intrigue children and adults revealing in them the epic elements of life!
The Dutch documentary maker Peter Mariouw Smit is shooting “the making of”.
produced by Syndicaat Alex Vermeulen
casting and cast coaching by Wayan Purwantu
Photography and light by Doddy Obenk
Photo compositions and montage by Alex Vermeulen
3D graphics by Adam Kuczek, Czarnyrobert & Raphael Lacoste
Costumes by Rien Bekkers
Music by David Shea
Styling by Karin Mathys
Translation by Kate Williams
iBook design by Susie Mendive
iBook application by Greg Easley, Freelabplays
Concept, written and directed by Alex Vermeulen
Documentary: Peter Mariouw Smit
Project Advisors: Soemantri Widagdo, Bruce Carpenter
and Adriaan Palar
CAST
Cefo Abadan – Dio Lesmana
Kondamnita Sanculpeca – Emi Yunika
Patro – Odon Prayoga
Diabloso Plori – Galang Purnama
Marko Bonsanca – Ade Suarjaya
Potenca Trompi – Agus Suardana
Janus – Gede Yudi Saputra
Emilia – Jeni Ariani
Pala Justa Despellio – Rani Windari
Admiranda Responde – Jeni Ariani
Gangsters: Desta Sarmadi, Gede Asta Deva, Vania Weda Cita