TRANSFE/\R at Nieuwe Vide

A cinematic physical theatre performance inspired by an allegedly missing scene from the movie “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers” (1956 – dir. Don Siegel) For one singer, trumpet, optical sounds, 16mm film projector, stylophone.

TRANSFE/\R is the outcome Nistico’s year long research on 16mm film, optical sounds and the possibility to perceive film as a living creature on stage. This project has an experimental approach to analog film and uses it mainly as a support to organic material growth (fungi), projections and as sound source. The original movie “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers”describes the systematic replacement of a small- town’s population by emotionless alien duplicates growing from seedpods. The clones’ growth and the citizens’ replacement happen while they are asleep. In the original movie, the process of substitution is never fully shown. TRANSFE/\R is an imagination and abstraction of this “missing” scene and intends to unfold the clone’s growth from fungi and subsequent replacement of its corresponding human. This performance opens a question about how we interact with forms of life diferent from our and which might upset our set of values. Are we ready to devalue our personal emotions? And what does it mean to live according to instincts which are directed to the survival of the community? The emotionless clones which in the original movie pose a threat to mankind, are here eventually unfolded as a possible resource. They represent simplicity and a catharsis that promises a renewed existence on this planet.

Cinzia Nistico
composer/ interdisciplinary artist

Her works often merge different disciplines together defying conventional formats. At the core of her narration is a nihilistic and existential interpretation of the individual, stripped of its past, identity, belonging and memory. The tensions between the single and the multitude of the masses and society is also a focus in her works. She uses parallel forms of narrations in her work. She currently incorporates analog filmmaking for her perforative installations and music /physical theatre works. She is currently member at Filmwerkplaats Rotterdam. She developed part of her research during her residency in Het Huis Utrecht.