Comment

Comment by ginster plantagenet on May 7, 2010 at 1:51pm

rather not christian, that would be too boring and also the Christian mysticism is full of misogyny. There women are saints or whores, no thanks!

Comment by Lillian Ann Slugocki on May 7, 2010 at 10:31am

Yes, that makes sense to me. A change in the paradigm--- from pagan to Christian perhaps

Comment by ginster plantagenet on May 7, 2010 at 9:55am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Anouilh, Anouih's work is interesting as he is one of the existentialist influenced directors and absolutely laical in his views, a bit romantic but trying to be 'realistic' in his sense.
very interesting compared to the crap that is made nowadays....

Comment by ginster plantagenet on May 7, 2010 at 9:50am

Pasolini's movie is cult. but in amazon link you can find a second hand dvd:
http://www.amazon.com/Medea-Maria-Callas/dp/B00006IUL2
http://www.priceminister.com/offer/buy/3494669/Medee-DVD-Zone-2.htm...
Found interesting interview with Isabell Huppert acting Medea in Avignon theatre festival but only in French or German, sorry:http://archives.arte.tv/special/medee/dtext/entretie.html, there are quite many plays, especially new interpretations by young female (German)directors.Very impressing and very modern. also the english wikipedia is not bad collecting an overview on plays...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medea_%28disambiguation%29#Plays
In the past I was searching for Medea as I never believed the versions usually acted. Pasolini actually encouraged me that my imaginations were probably in the right direction.
The power game between Medea and Jason is also an indication for the change in social power structures and the situation shows the brink of a philosophical and cultural cut.

Comment by Lillian Ann Slugocki on May 7, 2010 at 8:18am

I just got your comment--- been off the grid, but love that you've seen the movie. I'm a big fan of Pasolini, but haven't seen his Medea. I've been trying to find Anouillh's (spelling is surely off) theatrical adaptation, which is mostly a monologue by her, and is brilliant, and modern, but its disappeared. I know the text exists b/c Fiona Shaw did it on Broadway about fifteen years ago. Do you know the production? Anyway, would then like to adapt that for the 21st century---

Comment by ginster plantagenet on April 8, 2010 at 12:45am

Medea indeed was a priestess and when she discovered to only being used by Jason she decided to take her/his sons lives as they wouldn't have survived in the kingdom which Jason would rule as a king after Kraitons death which would have been his next goal. She knew her sons would save them by killing them before Jason would do it. She is an example of a woman who sees her mistake and takes action. In her situation she tried to get away to Crete, but all the kings there would refuse her to take refuge with the sons as they feared Jason would want a reason to invade.
She was a political woman, a princess not only priestess. The myth Pasonlini's movie showed was excellently acted by Maria Callas!!! Historical!In his movie he also sympathized with Medea's brother trying to kill Medea for leaving the country of her father who actually wanted to kill his daughters in order to have the brother be king! Don't forget in those times women were the kings!!!!