Pythia is a video-poem in an ongoing series of shorts inspired by mythological stories, in particular legends about women.
Pythia was the oracle at Apolo’s temple in Delphi in ancient Greece. She was the prophetess, to whom kings and strong men went to ask for advice. One of the fundamental requirements for the Pythia position was that she would be at least fifty years of age. Given that the Delphi oracle was the most authoritative oracle among the Greeks, she was, without doubt, the most powerful woman of the classical world.
Through dance ritual, poetry and music, the video depicts the Pythia, the aged woman, as the arbiter of wisdom. Giving counsel to kings and generals, she is called to give advice regarding wars, but would they heed her guidance?
Writer, Director, Editor: Tova Beck-Friedman
Dancer: Juliet Neidish
Narrators: Isa Goldberg, Duvall OSteen
Music: Kamila Kostur
THE PYTHIA
clouds of vapors, a priestess prays
to Apollo —
— or was it Gaia
was the snake involved?
odd
the god had chosen
the aged woman
as his emissary
clouds of vapors, a priestess sways
it is I, the Pythia
when I was young & free
I roamed these mountains
with eyes and curiosity
checked on children and the elderly
learned the ways of the world
now old and wiser
I am the oracle
I am the Pythia
seizing authority
from the earth goddess
her throne he usurped
Apollo, the god
needs my assistance
people are waiting
their burden is weighing me down
high on the mountain
Cypress trees are swaying
I am the oracle
I am the Pythia
mighty men and kings
seek counsel –
should they go to war
should they not
what decision should they make
are they aware of suffering
they are about to inflict
the savage of war
the destruction brought by its wind
to what end?
who is to win
and at what cost
veil of grey mist
I am rocking back and forth
— falling into a trance
they compel me to carry their burden
a burden too heavy to bear
they compel me to
absolve them of all responsibility
alas, I pity them
young, muscular & unaware
soaked with power
blind to their surroundings
oblivious
are they listening?
I try with all my might
but could not dissuade them
oh, she did not mean it
they say
did she speak clearly?
did she intend ?….
Clouds of vapors …..
…..I am rocking back and forth
…..the oracle is about to declare….
Screening:
Newlyn International Film Festival 2019, UK
Festival Internacional De Videoarte De Camaguey 2019, Cuba
The 2018 Film and Video Poetry Symposium, Los Angeles
The Slipper room, New York, July 2nd, 2018
Motion Pictures Film Festival, Nigeria, & Calgary, Alberta, Canada
7th International Video Poetry Festival / Athens, 2018, Greece