The Commission
This work is Woody's first entry into the narrative sphere, whereby the "story" is continually undermined with the aid of various anti-narrative strategies: In each of the eleven segments of this "electronic opera", different effects are used. Fascinated with the remarkable personality of infamous violinist Niccola Paganini and his complicated relationship to Hector Berlioz (played by artists Ernie Gusella and Robert Ashley, respectively), the author meditates over the intricacies of artistic geniality as connected not only with fame but also with the necessity of painful survival under the pressures of the art market.
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Cast
6 people
Robert Ashley
Hector Berlioz
Also in
Perfect Lives
Frames for Seconds
Ernest Gusella
Niccolo Paganini
Also in
What Under the Sun?
Connecticut Papoose
Cosimo Corsano
The Mortician
No other roles listed
Ben Harris
Paganini's Son
Andrea Harris
The Voice
David Ossman
The Narrator
Also in
A Bug's Life
Five Grand
Woody Vasulka Director · Robert Ashley Writer Ernest Gusella Writer
United States release January 1, 1983 · Produced in United States · Production National Endowment for the Arts
Production
New Mexico Arts Division
Production
National Endowment for the Arts
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
United States · January 1, 1983
Physical
More from Woody Vasulka
Other films they directed, best known first.
