Ovid’s Poem Metamorphosis Set With a Contemporary Twist

Ovid’s classical poem Metamorphosis tells the story of goddess Diana and the hunter Actaeon. This timeless story has been re-ignited in a contemporary English setting on the occasion of the National Gallery’s upcoming exhibition.

The National Gallery’s upcoming exhibition "Metamorphosis: Titian 2012" will bring together a cross-form of contemporary artists to present a series of new projects that reference the Renaissance master as inspiration. In conjunction with the Royal Opera House the resulting commissions include three new ballets as well as a range of new poems including work by the poet laureate Carol Anne Duffy.

As part of its partnership with The National Gallery, Credit Suisse has commissioned a short film that further explores the ways in which the 16^th century Italian painter continues to excite a new generation of creative talent.

Virgin Goddess
Like the other artists involved in the project, the film takes its inspiration from the three masterpieces by Titian on display at the exhibition. These art works were inspired by Ovid's classical poem of transformation and myths Metamorphoses, and the paintings depict the fatal consequences of a mortal tragically caught up in the affairs of the gods.

The film is focused in particular on Titian’s painting of Diana and Actaeon - a dark and somewhat sensual imagining of the young hunter Actaeon, who whilst taking a rest from hunting a stag in the forest stumbles across the virgin goddess, Diana the Huntress, bathing naked. In her anger she casts a spell upon him, changing him into a stag. He then wanders through the woods only to be savaged by his very own hunting dogs.

sponsored-credit-suisse — A print of Titian’s Diana and Actaeon. The inspiration for the film. ()

Modern Gothic Fairy Tale
Directed by the experimental team of Luke White and Remi Weekes - who work under the name of "Tell No One" –they have playfully fused the narrative of Diana and Actaeon with the darkness of a modern Gothic fairy tale alongside the dramatic feel of a timeless period drama.

The film features established English actress Anna Friel whose considerable body of work has brought her to the screen and stage on both sides of the Atlantic. This includes starring in the multi-award-winning US series "Pushing Daisies" and as the lead in the West End production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". The film also features the young English actor Ed Speleers who shot to fame with his lead role in the fantasy-adventure film "Eragon" and will appear in the upcoming season of television series "Downton Abbey".