Stills from Ira Wolf's Sunscreen

From the Ira Wolfe music video Sunscreen:

King Lear Film on YouTube

I have posted Episode 13 of my film of King Lear on YouTube as a teaser. http://bit.ly/Ep13KingLear

In this scene Lear is brought to Cordelia's tent. After a short respite, he is awakened. Though at first lost in confusion and shame, he finally recognizes Cordelia and they are reunited. To Kent's grief, Lear still does not recognize him fully.

King Lear in Episodes

The episodic version of my film King Lear is now streaming on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

                                                King Lear in Episodes

 

Watch Episode 1     

After 60 years as King, Lear commits the most fatal, consequential and disastrous act of his life.  

Watch Episode 2       

Failing to secure his fortune on the road, Edmund intends to steal his brother Edgar's inheritance and usurp his father Gloucester's authority, killing both if necessary.

Watch Episode 3       

Goneril decides the time is ripe to destroy her father's remaining power.  Lear reacts violently, precipitating the battle she wants.  Storming out to take refuge with Regan, he begins to understand how he wronged Cordelia, his youngest daughter.

Watch Episode 4        

Edgar, in disbelief, flees in terror when Edmund tells him their father, Gloucester, wants to have him killed.  Regan and Cornwall arrive at Gloucester's where Regan plans to meet her sister Goneril to plot Lear's total destruction.

Watch Episode 5       

Kent, serving Lear in disguise, arrives at Gloucester's.  Seeing Oswald, he is enraged and tries to kill him.  Stopped by Cornwall and protesting vehemently, he is put in the stocks.  Edgar, fleeing for his life, decides to become a beggar in disguise.

Watch Episode 6      

Arriving at Gloucester's Lear is enraged to find Kent stocked.  When Regan and Cornwall appear the confrontation builds as he attacks Cornwall.  It reaches its zenith after Goneril arrives. Lear rails against his daughters and is forced out into a wild storm, followed by Kent and Fool.

Watch Episode 7        

Kent, having lost Lear in the storm, searches desperately for him.  Lear, halfway to insanity, rails against nature, himself and all of mankind.  Kent finally convinces Lear to seek shelter against the fiercest storm he has ever seen.

Watch Episode 8       

Gloucester mistakenly confides to Edmund his support for Lear. In the storm Lear, Kent and Fool find Edgar disguised as a madman.  Lear's mind finally cracks and he befriends Edgar as a soul brother.  Amidst their ranting and raving Gloucester arrives to give them shelter. 

Watch Episode 9      

Edmund betrays Gloucester.  Lear, in his madness, puts Regan and Goneril on trial for their brutal behavior.  Gloucester is captured and endures Cornwall's revenge.

Watch Episode 10      

Edgar, in disguise, comes upon his blind father, who wants to die.  Now intimate, Goneril and Edmund plot Albany's demise.  During a brutal confrontation between Goneril and Albany a messenger tells of Gloucester's blinding and Cornwall's death.

Watch Episode 11     

Kent hears Cordelia has arrived with an army.  Learning Lear is at Dover in a state of madness, she orders a search for him.  Oswald defies Regan's demand to read Goneril's letter to Edmund.  She orders her guard to kill him but he escapes.

Watch Episode 12      

Staged by Edgar, Gloucester survives a suicide attempt.  Lear appears, totally mad.  After a grotesque, frightening scene he runs off pursued by Cordelia's search party.  Oswald tries to kill Gloucester, Edgar kills him and then finds Goneril's note to Edmund.

Watch Episode 13       

Lear is brought to Cordelia's tent.  After a short respite, he is awakened.  Though at first lost in confusion and shame, he finally recognizes Cordelia and they are reunited.  To Kent's grief, Lear still does not recognize him fully.

Watch Episode 14      

After assuring Regan he loves her, Edmund and Goneril plot to kill Albany and marry.  The British army defeats the French in battle.  Edgar takes Gloucester to a safe haven.  Lear and Cordelia are taken prisoner.  Edmund tells his captain to murder them. 

Watch Episode 15       

The evildoers fight among themselves.  Edgar appears and challenges Edmund to mortal combat.  Goneril poisons Regan and after Edmund is wounded fatally kills herself.  Kent wants to bid Lear good night.  Suddenly they see him in the distance carrying the dead Cordelia, utterly heartbroken.

The Rot of Corruption

 What is the best way to root out endemic, massive corruption. Is there any way? 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/12/africa-everyday-corruption-bribes-police-healthcare-education-identification/

The Rare Sighting of a Hero

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Director’s Notes – Episode 2 of the film King Lear

Watch the scene.

            Failing to secure his fortune on the road, Edmund intends to steal his brother's inheritance and his father's authority, killing both if necessary. 

            Shakespeare presents problems in performing this scene.  In general, it needs editing, especially for Gloucester.  The point is made and made and made.  Edmund’s speech is too pat.  Everything in the scene is so convenient, so set-up.  Edmund finishes his speech just before Gloucester’s entrance.  Edgar enters after Edmund’s next long speech.

            The scene rarely works because Edmund is so certain of succeeding.  There is no sense of what is at stake here.  First, of course, is Edmund’s entire future-- either as the heir apparent or a wanderer with no prospects.  Second, we never get the sense that Edmund is putting his very life on the line.  If the scheme fails, if Gloucester doesn’t believe it, or insists on seeking Edgar out, or if Edgar is determined to seek out Gloucester, Edmund’s life is worth nil and he would have to abscond immediately – a pursued criminal.  Events must not unfold miraculously one after another.  Edmund must make things happen, but he assumes nothing.  He can’t possibly be certain how Gloucester, and then Edgar, will react.  Edgar finally flees in terror and disarray, but Edmund must sweat and earn Edgar’s flight.

Anthony Ray Hinton and The Sun Does Shine

This book is very difficult to read.   It is enraging, horrific, deeply depressing.  And yet, without having read it, I would have missed meeting this extraordinary individual.  So read it.  Be infuriated.  And get to know Anthony Ray Hinton.  And support the Equal Justice Initiative.