An agent is pursuing a covert line of investigation that seems to direct him toward the life of Friedrich Engels. The trail leads him to through locations particular to Engels: Manchester, Salford, London and to Wuppertal, Engels' hometown. Fearing his cover is blown, the agent flees to Oktoberfest and his ultimate fate. The film, shot on 16mm, unites Clarke’s relationship with the loss of history and the looming shadow of grand narratives that recalls the impending doom and critique found in the works of playwright Ödön von Horváth. Clarke’s signature style of a lingering camera, long takes and sole narrator is expanded upon by use of sound and exploiting a fictional narrative. The film reimagines von Horváth's 'Kasimir and Karoline' as a contemporary allegory for the failure of the promises of previous centuries.
'The Most Cruel of All Goddesses' was co-commissioned by HOME and the University of Salford as part of 'The heart is deceitful above all things', HOME’s major inaugural exhibition curated by Omar Kholeif and Sarah Perks. The film and exhibition were inspired by Ödön von Horváth’s classic play Kasimir and Karoline (adapted by dramatist Simon Stephens into The Funfair), which premiered at HOME on Thu 14 May 2015. An edition of 'The Most Cruel of All Goddesses' is held in the University of Salford’s art collection.
Not Rated
61 minutes
2015
Drama
United Kingdom
English
None
HOME Artist Film