Theda

Talent Showcase 2006
  • Scheme: LAFVA
  • People: Georgina Starr
  • Duration: 40'

Theda Video

Film Information

  • Year of commission: 2006
  • Year of release: 2006
  • Shooting format: Mini DV

Credits

  • Artist: Georgina Starr

A chance meeting with an eccentric octogenarian film fan introduced Starr to the world of silent screen legend Theda Bara. Once the biggest silent movie star in the world, Bara appeared in over forty films, of which only two still exist today.

Through extensive research into the art of Bara and other neglected silent stars, Starr has reconstructed key scenes from the lost films, with both herself and the film fan taking on the role of 'Theda'. The work looks at the vicarious nature of the cinematic experience and explores the silent film form through image and live sound.

Experimenting with live performance styles and narrative techniques Starr considers the movie screen as a mirror and how we use film fiction to explore and escape our own identity.

Cast
Theda: Georgina Starr
Theda (in Epilogue): Nana Prevett

Find out more

Artist's Website

Georgina Starr, Theda (2006), video still. Courtesy of the artist

Georgina Starr, Theda (2006), video still. Courtesy of the artist

Georgina Starr, Theda (2006), video still. Courtesy of the artist

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