Wael Shawky’s Drama 1882 (re)stages a colonial conflict laden with treason and exploitation as a libretto across eight chapters and 44 hypnotic minutes, invoking questions of colonialism, collaboration, resistance, narrative, history, and, of course, drama.

Drama 1882

In his newest cinematic opus, artist Wael Shawky once again entrusts masks and marionettes to rethink and challenge the narratives around the birth of Mediterranean culture. In a psychedelic journey among deities, heroes and titans, I Am Hymns of the New Temple reads classic mythology anew in the unique landscape of Pompeii, creating the ground for a timely and much needed discussion on received ideas surrounding cultural and national identity.