Fugue
2011
Single Channel HD Video
8.03 Minutes

One of the principal inspirations for Fugue is Edward Bellamy’s influential utopian novel ‘Looking Backward’ (1886), in particular the experience of Julian West, the protagonist of the story, who wakes from a trance-like sleep lasting over 100 years and wanders through this future city. The book describes a utopian city, constructed with wide avenues incorporating tracts of green foliage and vast glass topped emporiums for shopping.  

The film was shot on location in Tapiola, an area near Helsinki, which was designed as a garden city. The principals of the Garden City movement were developed by Ebenezer Howard, who was heavily influenced by the descriptions of the modern city in Bellamy’s Utopian novel. In this film, the protagonist wanders through the urban environment passing through parks, shopping areas and architectural developments that give a tangible form to a future Bellamy envisioned in the late 1800’s.

Credits:
Camera: Pekka Uotila
Sound: Karl Burke
Actor: Tero Nauha
Edited by: Martin Healy

 Fugue was produced while on residency at HIAP (Helsinki) and was made with support from The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion