Tendency to Collapse Movie - Marta Węglińska

Tendency to Collapse

2017/2018, audio-video, 00:25:00

direction, screenplay, and costumes: Marta Węglińska; cinematography: Adhiwinanto Semali and Dimas Saputro; dancers: Anter Asmorotedjo and Anita Listyaningrum; martial arts performer: Ruben Pangingkayon; Caryatid character: Marta Węglińska; music: J Mo’ong Santoso Pribadi, vocals: Anter Asmorotedjo; producer: Zachęta – National Gallery of Art in Warsaw

Idea

“Tendency to Collapse” explores and reinterprets a fragment of an ancient Javanese tale about Prince Panji and Princess Candrakirana, who are pursued by their enemies. The protagonists hide among lush greenery, but lose their faces, visually merging with nature. In addition to the mythical lovers, the film features the character of Gravity (personifying the tendency to fall), who pursues them, and a female figure — a caryatid, symbolizing stability.

Film utrzymany w konwencji poetyckiego eseju wizualnego rozwija ideę grawitacji, postrzeganej jako ciągłe dążenie do upadku oraz zmiany. Utrata fundamentów w życiu, popadanie w ruiny, zmienność masek i ról, niepewność postrzegania — to główne zagadnienia wokół których została ułożona narracja filmu.

Working method

The concept for the film took shape gradually during a two-month study stay in the city of Yogyakarta (preceded by a year-long stay in Indonesia). The script was based on meetings and discussions with local artists — traditional dancers (Anter Asmorotedjo, Anita Listyaningrum), a master of local martial arts (Ruben Pangingkayon), a filmmaker (Adhiwinanto Semali), and a musician (J Mo’ong Santoso Pribadi). The final dance and martial arts choreography was selected during a series of rehearsals with Indonesian performers.

Discussions with Indonesian artists were primarily a form of learning for me — — understanding Javanese culture and grappling with the issue of intercultural translation. In this context, “Tendency to Collapse” is a field for experimentation — — a search for a universal creative language that combines themes derived from different cultures (cosmogony and human history/fate)..

Locations, soundtrack, costumes

The locations, music, and costumes are important layers of the film. Among the most important settings are the ruins of the 8th-century temple Ratu Boko and the water palace Warung Boto. The soundtrack, inspired by traditional music, features the ancient Javanese song Asmaradana. The music was composed by J Mo’ong Santoso Pribadi. The film features traditional, richly decorated costumes used in traditional mask dancing in Yogyakarta, as well as experimental costumes that I designed and created with a local dyeing workshop.

The film premiered at an exhibition at the Zachęta Project Room (Zachęta – National Gallery of Art) in Warsaw in 2017.

https://zacheta.art.pl/en/wystawy/marta-weglinska-upadek-grawitacja?setlang=1

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