Private Project

Deathmasks

Deathmasks, a film by Emil Agopian, set to the haunting music of composer Omar Daniel, explores the intersection of life and death, and the nature of time, physical existence and fate. This music film arises from the music itself and from the work of Rainer Maria Rilke. Integrating narrative cinema with music video, the film features actors as well as the musicians of Land's End Ensemble. Bookended by Daniel's powerful settings of Rilke's poetry, three intertwined narratives explore the human desire for transcendence and the ways in which death defines human life, just as darkness defines and delimits light. Through dream-like, Expressionist imagery inspired by Daniel's music and Rilke's rich body of work, this film asks questions that are both contemporary and timeless, resonating with the fundamental concerns of this present moment in history.

  • Emil Agopian
    Director
  • Emil Agopian
    Writer
  • Emil Agopian
    Producer
  • Tony McGrath
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Feature, Music Video, Short
  • Runtime:
    40 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 5, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Emil Agopian

Based in Alberta, Canada and working internationally, award winning film director and producer Emil Agopian has garnered international acclaim for his narrative, music video, and documentary work. In addition to directing highly successful media projects for organizations like the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra across Europe, China, the USA and Canada, Emil has produced and directed music videos for Juno Award winning artists and composers, gaining mainstream media attentions and occasionally going viral online. Hailed for his distinctive artistic voice and dedication to his craft as well as his deep connection to music’s role in film, Emil’s work has been screened in film festivals worldwide, his latest feature documentary garnering “Best Documentary” at the Monaco International Film Festival and finalist at the European Cinematography Awards. His latest film, a feature length music video, premieres in 2022.

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