Myth of the Hero

Collaborators
COMPOSER: PAUL DRESHER
DIRECTOR: CHEN SHI-ZHENG
ACTOR: VINAYA KUMAR

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Myth of the Hero is a contemporary ritual that reflects upon the radical transformations taking place in present-day Asia, a place where past and present are involved in a constant confrontation. This work is an attempt to look at this struggle from both mythical and personal perspectives. Using the Hero as a touchstone to indicate the changes that have occurred over time in our vision of the "ideal" person, we hope to provoke a deeper understanding of what has disappeared, remained, or transformed in our contemporary culture.

Act I: Death of the Hero

a tribute to the death of ancient civilizations and the beginning of a new era

Act II: Asia Close Up

a fragmentary look at personal moments and inner lives.

Act III: Catch Up with America

a reflection on contemporary Asia

The collaborators would like to thank the cast and the musicians, who have contributed their own ideas and materials which were essential to shaping this project. Special thanks to Veenapani Chawla, Nguyen Boi Co, and Nguyen Thu Thuy.