Some Phases of an Empire

Using footage rephotographed from the Hollywood spectacle Quo Vadis this film is a densely layered montage on the themes of power sexuality and aggression Rather than a deconstruction of the film from which it is derived its overall effect might better be described as decomposition or derangement of the original elements Culled from a variety of recordings of spoken texts including Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and music the Hary Janos Suite by Zoltan Kodaly the soundtrack is edited in a manner that underscores the rhythm of the images and alludes to the presence of unconscious associations with the story of the original film The Emperor meets his demise through the agency the voice of a wicked Queen whose lust for power is equalled only by her capacity for destruction