EIF: Dusk @ Lyceum Theatre
Brazilian director Christiane Jatahy's UK debut skilfully merges cinema and theatre to confront themes of exploitation, xenophobia, and the reemergence of fascism
Christiane Jatahy, the Brazilian film and theatre director, makes her UK debut at this year's Edinburgh International Festival with Dusk, a gripping performance based on Lars von Trier’s Dogville. Escaping from a quasi-fascist regime, the play follows Graça, a young Brazilian woman seeking refuge from oppression in a community of theatre artists staging an adaptation of von Trier's film. Themes of exploitation, racism, and xenophobia are skilfully explored, showcasing Jatahy's prowess in merging cinema and theatre.
The play begins in an unusual fashion with the curtain already up, with the actors already on stage looking at the audience, chatting, and moving about. “Has the play already started?” is a recurring question of the audience coming in. It’s that slight irritation that will be a recurring thread throughout the 90-minute-long play – the feeling of a glitch, an uncertainty of what is real and what is phantom.
This certainly emerges in the idea to stage a film that is itself staged like a play as an actual play that uses film cameras. Filmed images occasionally do not match the real-life performance; some characters are only visible on the screen, giving the play a strange, haunted character. Considering the fact that for most of the audience, the reading of the supertitles is mandatory to follow the play – which is performed in French – it gets very meta. Jatahy's decision to alter von Trier's ending adds relevance, confronting the premonitions of fascism in contemporary society. Dusk becomes a mirror reflecting uncomfortable truths, urging us to consider the consequences of collective apathy.
Dusk is an intricate blend of cinema and theatre that presents a poignant exploration of societal complexities. Julia Bernat's central performance as Graça is deeply moving, adding fightback and moral outrage to the character. The ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, evoking a sense of collective responsibility for individual suffering.
The powerful performances and thought-provoking themes make this production a must-see. Despite the occasional challenge of supertitles, Dusk leaves a lasting impact, questioning our roles in a world needing tolerance and compassion.
Dusk, Lyceum Theatre, 7 & 8 Aug, 7.30pm, £20-36 (£10 concession tickets available on day of performance)