Merchant/Venice

Alternative title

Merchant of Venice, The

Synopsis

Independent, experimental video. A re-working of The Merchant of Venice, that includes text from Kathy Acker’s reinterpretation of the play. Makes extensive use of live and pre-recorded video, and employs cross-dressing. The production distills the play into short intense scenes representing different views on the themes of the play - sexual anxiety, emotional violence, gender ambiguity and racial discord.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

1999

Duration

25 mins

Credits

Director

Noel Salzman

Contributor

Kathy Acker

Cast

Susannah Jane Gross	Shylock
Nancy Lee Russell	Antonio
Trey Lyford	Bassanio
Chris Van Strander	Portia
Zack Eisenberg	Gratiano
Brian Nishii	Lorenzo
Christen Clifford	Prince of Morocco
Lauren Costa	Jessica
Scott Ebersold	Solanio
Tanya Osterling	Salerio
Tim Grandia	Nerissa

Additional Details

Production type

Other

Plays

Merchant of Venice, The

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

gender representation; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Cross-dressing

Notes

Notes

The original footage filmed on 8mm and Hi-8 video.

Production Company

Name

New Butana

Name

Westwell

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN