circe

circe (2024)

We all know the story of Odysseus. The seafaring king, trying to find his way home. The story of the wreckage he leaves in his trail is considered heroic. Yet there is a different story, one less told, but perhaps more true. The story of a Circe, who lived in peace with the animals on her island. She was a witch, a lover, a mother. She invited Odysseus, a stranded stranger. She loved him, but he never really gave her his heart. And so she chose to send him on his way again.

Cast:
Nadine Drouin, Circe
Nicholas Rapaic, Odysseus
Animals: Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair, Skyler Martin, Martin ten Kortenaar, Rémy Catalan, Sem Sjouke, Nathan Brhane

Concept and production: House of Makers
Creative direction: Sterre van Rossem, Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair, Peter Leung
Written by: Sterre van Rossem
Choreography: Peter Leung
Assistant choreographer: Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair
Filmed and edited by: Bowie Verschuuren

Original music and sound design: Nicholas Robert Thayer
"Animal," written and performed by: Thijs Havens
Mixed by: Shai Solan

Styling: Dineke van Meeuwen
Circe's costume: Barbara Langendijk
Odysseus's costume: H&M
Masks: Wintercroft

Camera assistant: Sebastien Galtier
Production assistants: Pamela Kalkman, Clemens Fröhlich

With support from The Friends of the Dutch National Ballet, The Student Hotel Amsterdam, Open Studio, and H&M.
With thanks to Carine and Ben Kalkman, and Esther Apituley.

Circe was featured in the Dutch Archive Program at Cinedans FEST 2024, a curated conversation and screening series bringing together Dutch dance filmmakers to discuss the craft and collaboration behind the genre. Peter Leung and Bowie Verschuuren joined fellow filmmakers to share their experience making the film, part of Cinedans' broader effort to build an archive of Dutch dance film.