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Teenager Hamlet 2006 Director: Margaux Williamson Genre: Documentary, Social Commentary Producer: Julia Rosenberg Starring: Sheila Heti, Sholem Krishtalka, 9 Hamlets and 7 Ophelias. Envision a presentation of Hamlet, hold auditions for potential Hamlets and Ophelias, and film a video of it. To round out the movie, add a commentary of the director on-screen explaining the story of Shakespeare's Hamlet to a friend, and scenes of an enactment of the Hamlet play in a forest setting. That is the premise of “Teenager Hamlet (2008), the centrepiece of an installation art project that includes Polaroid shots of the potential cast members, a trailer of the movie created prior to the movie edit, a structure study, and a Director's Commentary made with Lauren Bride and Ahmad Ishmail & without the Director's commentary, playing on a small TV. Add a painting: the inspiration piece “Teenager Hamlet,” (2005). If this seems a bit confusing, it may be best to see it. Margaux Williamson created the project, aided by a cast and crew who became the creators and on-screen participants in the movie component, referred to as “aktors”. (A reference to the Franz Kafka novel, “Amerika.”) The unscripted nature of this video production melds with the artist's intention of a creation that is planned but natural. To someone who considers filmmaking an art, the production values may seem to be below professional standards. Hand-held SD (Standard Definition) video is not something often seen on a large screen. This movie is not intended to grace the screens at the cineplex for mass viewing. It is designed to reach each individual watching in a small group. The objective is the content; not the presentation. The viewer is drawn into the concept and their mind pried open by the incessant questioning of values and the expression of each participants' beliefs and feelings. Will art change the world? Is artist a pretentious word? Some of the questions may seen frivolous, but that may be no worse than movies made to resolve the meaning of life. The theme is how society is changing. So, is this project for everyone? Not by a long shot. This is an artistic installation intended to make people think and react. Someone looking for an evening's entertainment may be better served by the common fair of the local theatre. Teenager Hamlet is entertainment for those who want their mind challenged. The presentation of “Teenager Hamlet 2006,” a part of the Future Projections of the Toronto International Film Festival, is at the Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects Gallery, 1082 Queen Street West, Toronto. The installation is on display until September 13. |