Retelling of Roman Legend: Eve Sussman's The Rape of the Sabine Women

Tonight the Arthouse and the Paramount are joining forces to present a free screening of Eve Sussman's film The Rape of the Sabine Women. A modern interpretation of the legend that details the founding of Rome, Sussman's five-act film was inspired by paintings by Poussin and David. Originally recounted by Roman historian Livy, The Rape of the Sabine Women tells of how Romulus and his warriors abducted the daughters of the neighboring Sabine tribe in order to capture women who would go on to be the mothers of Rome. In Livy's telling, the term rape is used to mean abduction; Sussman's retelling of the story is more modern in both its setting and interpretation of the language.

The 80 minute, dialogue-free film was edited down from nearly 200 hours of footage and over 6,000 photographs. Choreographer Jonathan Bepler wrote the film's score which incorporates musicians and singer as well as the sounds of butcher's knives and heavy breathing. Sussman uses 1960's Europe as the setting for her retelling of The Rape of the Sabine Women, and the film was shot in five main locations including a meat market in Athens, a Berlin museum, a modernist villa in Greece, the Acropolis, and the island of Hydra. Surely any fan of Mad Men can understand how the sexual dynamics of the 60's might reflect those of Ancient Rome.

Admittedly, this is not a typical blockbuster film and Sussman will be in attendance at tonight's screening to talk about her work and answer audience questions. Arthouse's presentation of The Rape of the Sabine Women is part of a series of events leading up to this weekend's 24 Hour Roman Reconstruction Project, wherein artist Liz Glynn and a team of volunteers will build and destroy a model of Rome in a mere day.