Julie Taymor and Elliot Goldenthal
The musical's creative The Lion King and movies Across the Universe and Frida , and the composer of the latter and Interview with the Vampire announced plans in Latin America
By Pablo Gorlero
Julie Taymor (left). A scene from Juan Darien (right)
BOGOTA .- Whoever has been fortunate to witness the theatrical version of The Lion King surely have wondered, "How he did this happen to someone? ". Who had this fantastic vision to move an animated movie about animals on stage, with performers involved in masks and puppets, was the director Julie Taymor, whose name became famous immediately. Two he made his first big-screen film, Titus, in 2002, her film Frida had six Oscar nominations, and in 2007, surprised everyone with Across the Universe, a film a spectacular view musicalcon existentialist the songs of the Beatles. All these works have left a strong mark by the combination of artistic values \u200b\u200bthat Taymor has been achieved. But much before all of them conceived a musical play, with his partner in life and work Elliot Goldenthal: nothing less than Juan Darien: Carnival Mass, based on one of the best stories of Horacio Quiroga. "Juan Darien is a work conceived in 1988, but it premiered on Broadway in 1996. Although it may think otherwise, this work helped inspire me to The Lion King."
They spent several days in the Colombian capital to present an agreement between the Music Hall Theater Group and Volcano, along with the XII Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogotá, to restore and release a new version of Juan Darien in Colombia in 2011, followed by a tour of major cities in Latin America and the United States. Although initially the connection is made in Colombia, also is almost certain to pass through Buenos Aires and Mexico, among other cities.
Based on a story by the Uruguayan Horacio Quiroga, the work combines liturgical poetry of the Requiem Mass to tell the story of John, a little tiger in the jungle (Jaguar) who became man through the love of a mother has lost her child and, years later, she died, is forced to retrieve their animal form, as a result of hatred, fear and intolerance of men. In assembly, Taymor uses the most varied techniques stage, from masks to Bunraku and shadow puppetry to tell this tale set in a small village in the jungle. "With this work we toured Europe, Israel, parts of Canada and the United States. But it was always our dream to bring to Latin America, because, clearly, the inspiration comes from the original story in Uruguay. Our assembly is inspired by several countries American and its artists. Spectators Latin America feel shocked and surprised. Furthermore, it is for a single type of public and non-English. It has no language, "said Taymor.
pictures Juan Darien: Carnival Mass
- Will there be interpreters for each city in which they arise?
Taymor: "We auditioned for many roles and do not know which countries will be the artists. Probably look at each site for children and we will move to find local singers to participate in the choir. Probably also one of the protagonists. It would have been good to use some of the original actors, but it was for many years and I do not know if they will be available. It's always good to incorporate new people, it brings a feeling different.
-In Argentina and Uruguay grew up reading tales of Horacio Quiroga at school and in our homes, how did this story?
Julie Taymor: "That's great. Who can best answer is Elliot. He chose. Elliot Goldenthal
: "When I was learning English and twenties was really interested in South American poetry. I had read Cesar Vallejo of Peru, and began reading to Horacio Quiroga. His readings were stories with simple words, but I hit the power of his language to the heart. Many of his stories were strong for me, but this one was special. Wanted combined with Latin Requiem Mass, which was written in 1250. Quiroga's words are very beautiful to sing. I also wanted to show the church, the carnival, how to cross bridges and Europe to the New World, to the jungle invading the church, and the natural world and Europe combined. We started working with Julie and added theatrical elements to the story and expanded using metaphors in two main lines of work: the church and the jungle and the tiger in the jungle.
Images of Juan Darien: Carnival Mass
JT: "Even the appearance of the carnival. Juan enters the jaguar cage, obviously, but expands the story of the tamer, for example. We wrote the book in Mexico and, when you see it, you'll find more Mexican influences from other countries, as the Day of the Dead plays an important role. Long before I saw many Frida Mexican murals, not only of Diego Rivera. Anyway, this is not anywhere in particular. EG
"Quiroga was traveling all over Latin America and so was his crazy life. Obviously this is a personal work. In music has influences of jazz, circus and carnival, but also from all over the world.
JT: "Many times people say things offensive. Ever told me The Lion King was not authentic. So I say: "Yes, it is because the artists who did were true to themselves." I am interested in that, it is solid. If history is strong, you're gonna get no matter what country you are. I lived four years in Indonesia when he was 21 and had my own company in Japanese and Balinese. This story could happen there quietly. It's about someone who is transformed into an animal, is about a great company up to a village destroying nature, could also impact there. It's a plot. And what we like to Quiroga is that their stories are written for children, but have dark, xenophobia and fear is present civilization struggling against nature, the storm beating against nature. I worked with it for a long time. Even this year, the film Storm. There are great stories that transcend different cultures and specifically that does not mean they are generic, but must be personal to the artist. Then I clearly see my style in my work, my style. These masks may seem Mexican. But they are not show my influences of faces I've seen beautiful photos Salgado. But the sculpture is mine, costume design is mine ... I think that is important, my mark. It is common for people to ask: Why is this person who is not from here do you think of this? It is not right. An example would be to ask: how Anthony Quinn could have played Zorba, the Greek ? Let's start there. Or why it was in English? We went through all these questions and arrive at work. Are you going to move, to mobilize? Yes It hits the heart? Point, that's what we want.
- What are the major challenges of this staging?
JT: "Collect the money ... [Laughs]. In our producer Diane, it was hard to achieve. Also find the child is always the biggest challenge, because it should have some voice soprano without church. We must clarify that it is a Broadway musical, as The Lion King, but a new form, a visual speech. There is no spoken dialogue. But the big challenge is to find a child at the exact moment his voice still has not changed.
- How in touch with the people of the Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogotá?
JT: "Felipe has been trying for seven years, we make the American tour America, and without that passion we had not been able to. This is a wonderful festival.
EG: "What we're doing here in Bogota is a miracle. It is an incredible logistics.
- Can you imagine your work without music, Julie? JT: "I made the film without music
Titus was an error. But it is difficult. I run Opera and I think that's why the music hovers in all my essential parts. I like his power and combine it with the images. I even do in
Storm, a film about Shakespeare's play, which opens this year with Helen Mirren. Has much music and songs, but is oriented dialogue.
The Lion King (The Lion King)
"The set design has your artistic mark too ...
"It's about a specific topic. Because the play asks what is to be human. So there is no human characters well into the action. There is a jaguar, which is a small puppet, and then becomes a child, which also is a puppet. As it grows, evolves into a more complex puppet that needs to be manipulated by three people. And when his mother dies, an actress with a mask, he takes it away. In turn, at that time is a real guy who performed that action. Therefore, it is the first time the public can see the actors. In the midst of this incredible story, John is the only human. Therefore, limiting public contact with the flesh, man is the man emerge with greater force. The boy becomes much more human and becomes more human, people say that is Jaguar. And that we have just seen in the Gold Museum in Bogota. There are stories and pictures children and men who are transformed into jaguars. I think that is common in Latin America to hear these stories that say: "Beware of wild animals coming at night to take your child and return to society, disguised as men." Here is this boy of 12 years, tortured because everyone knows that underneath that skin is the jaguar is going to kill everyone. So the style of the story and the puppets are not only important because they are beautiful, funny and dramatically rich. The meaning is in the middle. The medium is the message. Then we did was take the idea of \u200b\u200ba mountain village 16 feet by 16. Whenever my films are theatrical works, and my work in film is very theatrical. You'll see a shadow of that people Hsat the church, and on top of the mountain you will see that mother's hut, and miniatures of the parade in the streets, some lighted windows, and shadow puppets in them, and suddenly the people turns and displayed in the foreground of the mother with her child. May seem innocent, but has a dark side. We wanted to write about something that was sentimental and sweet. But this dark thing we decided to incorporate the stories of tigers ... Tigers ... They talk of tigers in South America ...
"In the jungle areas are called tigers jaguars ...
"We'll say ... It has so many points with other jungle cultures. The jaguar, the tiger is always present in these legends and stories. Is who is going to feed your baby and who also will die. Are cosmic stories, and therefore has nothing to do with the kids. We have no problems in the children come, but parents should get them thinking that will explain many things.
-Lecoq You have obvious influences on your work ...
JT: "Yes, it is always automatic. Mask is that I studied with him. Can especially be seen in Juan Darien and The Lion King.
-With respect to this great musical, I have understood that There are talks to be held in Buenos Aires. Is this you?
JT: "Yes, indeed, is trying to form a company to go to South America. We are close to doing. And if I was available, would gladly mount the replacement. - How did you get that magic that combines many art forms and techniques?
JT: "I wanted the audience hit a leap of faith to the imagination from the beginning. The stage machinery should be visible. The audience should be a participant. The dominant theme and the emerging picture was the circle. In addition to being the personal growth of a boy represents the ritual of birth, death and rebirth. An apparent natural cycle. In addition, one of the most powerful elements in the film is the humanity of the animals. I considered this duality and, therefore, not an actor I wanted to hide behind a mask or an animal costume. He wanted the human being is an essential part of styling. I was very happy when I finished carving masks for Mufasa and Scar. Disney saw, saw Africa and saw my own aesthetic.
- Will they be able to get some Storm?
JT: -La went on stage twice and always wanted to do it on film. After working with a big as Anthony Hopkins in Titus , I thought who could make Prospero, but found no one able, with all respect. That is why I Helen Mirren, who will prosper. We have a great cast: Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina and Ben Whishaw, among others. The filmed in a very surreal volcanic and Hawaii. It has many effects and combine reality with fantasy.
Across the Universe Frida (left); Titus (right)
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