Iphigénie en Tauride

A retelling of the Greek myth, Iphigénie en Tauride follows Iphigénie in exile as a priestess in Tauride, compelled by the laws of the land to kill any foreigner who lands on the island to appease their gods. Things take a turn when her brother, unbeknownst to her, lands on the island and is sent to her to be killed.

Shou Chen (Director) was interested in exploring Iphigénie’s prospective fratricide through the lens of the death penalty. We referenced Boo Junfeng’s Apprentice, which examined the issue similarly through the executioner’s lens.

Separately, I was drawn to the work of sculptor Christian Boltanski, whose work frequently humanises the deceased. This led to the pile of discarded clothes at the base as a visual counterpoint to the noose. The curtain of white voile at the rear conceals the orchestra while alluding to funerary veils.