Inspired by Dante's Purgatory, Oblivion is a cinematic work that, through a profound and philosophical musical narrative, explores universal themes such as memory, the uncertainty of identity, and the search for meaning in a suspended and liminal existential space. The plot revolves around three main characters (two wayfarers and a man, potentially of royal blood) who find themselves trapped in a dreamlike and undefined place, where words are perpetually in the balance and truth dissolves into uncertainty. The protagonists, unsure of their past and their very nature, are forced to confront their existence and the dark nuance between life and death. The narrative unfolds through a minimalist musical score, featuring viola, cello, double bass, electric guitar, and electronics. The recitatives, often whispered, alternate with ensemble crescendos, with a dynamic range and soundscape that allow every nuance of the sound to emerge, from the most delicate passages to peaks of intensity. The attention to sonic detail is meticulous, with details such as the viola's pizzicato, the bridge noises, and the whispers of the electric guitar contributing to a rich, layered, and engaging soundscape. The characters' emotional tension is conveyed through lines of sight and visual cuts that meticulously respond to the closing moments of musical phrases, especially at moments of narrative climax. The editing, mixing, and mastering were carried out with the aim of creating a sound experience that reflects the complexity of the musical score and the depth of the libretto, while preserving the dynamic integrity and fluidity of the performance. In Oblivion, the languages ​​of opera and cinema integrate to explore existential questions related to memory and identity; Its innovative fusion of operatic and cinematic elements offers an intellectual and sensorial experience that challenges convention, stimulating profound existential reflection.

Director: Laine Rettmer
Story: John Aylward (inspired by Dante's Purgatory)
Screenplay: John Aylward
Camera Operator: Alice Millar (Director of Photography)
Music: John Aylward
Cast: Nina Guo (soprano), Lukas Papenfusscline (tenor), Tyler Boque (baritone), Cailin Marcel Manson (baritone)
Production: Ravenser Odd Productions
Distribution: New Focus Recordings (for commercial recording)
Origin: United States
Year: 2023
Running Time: 70 minutes