Fournos Centre for Digital Culture

The new non-linear film by Vouvoula Skoura,
based on the poem “I Hear an Army” by James Joyce.

Dedicated to Mando Aravantinou and to Melpo Axioti.

Traces of narration that shape time, following the rhythm of war, of every war.

Text by Spilios Argyropoulos
excerpt from the ‘Contrabando, seeking for Melpo’,
script for the author Melpo Axioti

On war.

Such were the times, eh?
Wars, destructions, emigrations, uprootings.
No time for love.

Things turned around,
they are not as, they are not as we dreamt of
The Suns degenerated to Moons.

Terrifying buildings, at daybreak, in the rain,
like plucked sitters in their agony, their desire.
Yes, there is no more desire,
No time for love.

I Hear an Army by James Joyce.

I hear an army charging upon the land,
And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees:
Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand,
Disdaining the reins, with fluttering whips, the charioteers.

They cry unto the night their battle-name:
I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter.
They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame,
Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.

They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair:
They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore.
My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair?
My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?

Direction: Vouvoula Skoura
Based in the text by Spilios Argyropoulos
Video-Audio Editing: Magda Martzoukou
Music: Nicos Papadogoulas

‘I Hear an Army’ by James Joyce
Poem reading: Tryfon Alexios Karatzinas

Production: Fournos Centre for Digital Culture | Vouvoula Skoura
HD | B&W, color, 6΄15΄