OEDIPUS        

A STOP MOTION ANIMATION SHORT FILM BY GEORGE MILIORIS

The short film Oedipus delves into the narrative of the story of the tragic hero as it evolves from the day of his birth until his self-inflicting blindness

Visual artist George Milioris presents in this contemporary stop motion animation film the story of hero Oedipus with a steam punk aesthetic dimension.

The particular myth is of great importance to the understanding of the human mind and its functions and of our psychic organ. It is most probably the greatest myth examining the human condition, it has not been narrated enough times though in the long history of culture.

The creator chooses a sophisticated, laborious, and time-consuming technique, as a reference to Jan Švankmajer's aesthetic. The result does justice to the myth thanks to the unique sensation which is created by the actual truth of the stop motion image.  The result does justice to the myth thanks to the unique sensation which is created by the actual truth of the stop motion image.

The film elaborates steam punk elements in an attempt to step out of time and space, mimicking the way the unconscious part of the human mind actually functions.

The director’s goal together with the production team is to feature the contemporary dimension of the ancient myth of Oedipus through a visual, artistic statement.

ABSTRACT ON THE DIRECTOR'S APPROACH

The far ancient myth of Oedipus sets the theme for the script, direction and production of an 18-minute film. It sets in motion the sequence of the mythical hero’s life and his monumental struggles as they evolve through various original and uncompromising limits of imagination and timeless sets. They appear as ‘landscapes’ of the unconscious dimension held in each one of us. 

The film consists of the following scenes: It begins the birth of Oedipus and his abandonment as a newborn, his transition to the town of Corinth, the prophecy he receives from the Delphi Oracle, the murder of his father King Laius straight after, the actual resolution of the enigma posed by the Sphinx, his marriage to Jocasta in the town Thebes, the revelation of the horrific truth leading to his self punishment, the act of blindness by his own hands.

The director's vision and intention is to transmit and set in the realm of today for every human being one of the greatest myths in the history of humanity.

Through the use of stop motion technique, the bodies are transposed in non-spaces and in the fragile present of our own reality at the same instance; it is a reality which is beset by social inequalities, problems, randomness. Abandonment, murder, the immoral act, revelation, punishment and redemption are all revealed in a vivid and dramatic way within a few minutes time frame.

The sphere of the tragic events’ sequence is contemporary (concurrent). 
It is civilization itself. The tragic feeling is conveyed by each figure's unique appearance. Each figure is a work of art and so is the total of the scenography .

George Milioris’ source of inspiration is the actual myth and Sophocles’ ancient tragedy, and all the fundamental mechanisms of our existence, the internal and subjective process which constantly develops within the unconscious self, and how it is exposed and shaped by external situations. The unconscious and the mind’s manifestations are outlined thoroughly in Oedipus, in his life path from birth to self punishment, self-blinding.

PRODUCTION PROCEDURE AND TECHNIQUE

Inspired by both cinematic and theatrical productions on the theme of the tragedy of Oedipus, such the Pier Paolo Pazolini’s film or Bob Wilson staged theatrical play (Epidaurus Ancient Theatre, 2019), Milioris presents the first animated adaptation of the myth in its long artistic history. Influenced by pioneers animation technique artists such as Jan Švankmajer, Willis O’Brien, George Pal, Tim Burton, Phil Tippett, Guillemo del Toro, he sets his own artistic animatic interpretation of Oedipus.

It is a world first time that we view an ancient tragic myth in the artistic form of stop motion animation..

COMMENTS BY HELLENIC FILM CENTER REVIEWERS

The design shows impressive technique, craftsmanship and coaching.
Footage shows clearly that a large part of the work has already been done.

The rendering of the story of Oedipus in a punk rock animation aesthetic in a small format is a great challenge for the creator.

Technically, the team seems to have the impeccability to execute this ambitious project. The aesthetic choice is also unexpected and welcome.

The film’s imaginary world is rich in materials, textures and characters. A deep understanding of the myth is apparent, as demonstrated by preliminary reflections in its narrative.

The work that has been done on the animation and on the work-in-progress indicates persistence and a creative knack on the project.

The team proves adept to bring it to conclusion.