Phantom of Venus (2022, 11'', b&w, sound, collage&film&found footage)

 

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Phantom of Venus is the second film of the series 'Cypriot Collage Stories'. Mediterranean Landscape (2020) was the first.

Phantom of Venus, is an inventive matriarch story. The two mothers of Cyprus, Aphrodite goddess of Love and Mary, Mother of Jesus, enter a fight. Which one will conquer all the island? Aphrodite holds the people together, Mary keeps them apart. History versus Religion.

This absurd political satire is a hybrid of documentary and animation. Found footage of the 1974 Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and hand-painted collage blend. Today, political tensions exist in Cyprus more than ever but also in the rest of the world. 

Images of refugees and camps of the 1974 unfortunately resemble the current situation we face everyday around us with millions of immigrants. Nothing has changed ever since. We are still at war, we are still refugees.

 

sound design and composition: Tasos Stylianou

music: 'Equilibrium' for solo prepared piano (2012)

Composed by Tasos Stylianou, Performed by Ermis Theodorakis

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Screenings:

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26th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic

Fascinations Competition Selection, World Film Premiere, 25-30 October 2022

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22nd Animafest Views of the World, Salamiou, Cyprus

National Competition Selection, 9-12 August 2023

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6th Almagro International Film Festival, Spain

'Special Tribute on Cypriot Cinema' programme, 1-16 September 2023

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FAN- Festivals Animation Network

'FAN Masters 2025' curated program by Animafest Cyprus 

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Awards:

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22nd Animafest Cyprus Views of the World

Audience Award, National Competition