New European Ensemble presents 1984, a new film that reimagines George Orwell’s classic novel. It features American National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden, British actor Joseph Thompson and Estonian composer Mihkel Kerem’s new ensemble piece inspired by the novel.
The premiere is on Friday April 23 at 18:00 BST on OnJam.tv
After the premiere, it will be available to watch on demand.
Tickets are available from £7.50 at https://www.onjam.tv/greengage/1984-edward-snowdenand-joseph-thompson
Gijs Besseling, Director of 1984, said: “Today the digital age is gaining momentum and ‘deep fakes’ are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real videos. At times fake news supersedes real news. Big Data means that the big tech companies know where we are, what we buy and what we post. The social media we use are not the product, our data is. As artists it is our task to reflect on these subjects and encourage people to think about them carefully. If in the future the wrong people come to power and gain access to all of our data our freedom will be on the line.”
This version of 1984 was created by NEuE and produced in collaboration with British production group Greengage, which is part of OnJam.tv. The directors are Gijs Besseling,
Emlyn Stam and Sophie Hunter.
Mihkel Kerem, the composer of the music for 1984. Born in Tallinn in 1981, Mihkel Kerem did not read Orwell’s 1984 until adulthood. After reading it, he was compelled to write an ensemble work that evoked its themes and moods. Mihkel Kerem said: “When I first read 1984, I was terrified because I realised that I was born into its dystopian world. Now, having thought I’d escaped it, I’m back in it again. Different artists have warned people for many years about dystopias… this was my attempt to give out yet another warning. What the text doesn’t say, the music says. There’s no repetition in the film.”
Kerem plays the role of Big Brother in the film. His musical work is performed by New European Ensemble throughout the film. Musicians from the ensemble also act in gripping cinematic renditions of scenes from the novel.
The New European Ensemble aims to use this project to illustrate new music’s relevance to society. According to artistic director Emlyn Stam: “Kerem’s fraught and filmic compositional style grabs hold of the listener and brings them into a claustrophobic, dystopian world of oppression and surveillance. Through the darkness he allows us a glimpse of hope for a better future.”
OnJam is a London-based technology start-up dedicated to bringing exciting online concerts and performances to audiences all over the world, and enabling artists to build meaningful revenues online.
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/tRiC4tbzriQ
Credits:
Text: George Orwell
Music and conductor: Mihkel Kerem
Directed by: Gijs Besseling, Emlyn Stam and Sophie Hunter
Executive Producer: Emily Ingram
Producer: Clementine Seely
Actor: Joseph Thompson
Presentation: Edward Snowden
Director of Photography: Paul Evans
1st Camera / Lighting: Jack Finn TaylorArt Department / Costume: Samuel Wyer
Sound Engineer: Donal Sweeney
Make-up Artist: Chang Kim
Scenic and Lighting Assistant: George Thompson
Cello solo: Willem Stam
Ensemble: New European Ensemble
Length: 65 minutes