Animus is a theater piece that incorporates film (both pre-recorded as well as projected live) better than any I've seen before. In fact everything about the piece is thoughtfully created and exquisitely executed. Produced by a new company (called E/D), but not a new collaboration (Emily Michaels King and Debra Berger), it's inspired by the 1966
Ingmar Bergman film
Persona and is in fact part of the Swedish filmmaker's jubilee celebration. I've not seen this film (or I think any of Bergman's work), but if it's as hauntingly beautiful and downright trippy as
Animus, I now want to. Presented as part of last year's Twin Cities Horror Festival (as reported on by my friends at
Minnesota Theater Love), it's been expanded to 90 fully engrossing minutes.
Animus continues through December 22 only and should not be overlooked in this busy season both on and off stage.
