Salome is the third and final film taken from the multi-channel digital film installation, The (Un)Holy Trinity by Laura Jean Healey to celebrate International Women’s Day 2020.
The (Un)Holy Trinity draws inspiration from three female characters either taken directly from the Bible, or inspired by the inconsistencies found within, to explore the deep-seated notion of the ‘fallen woman’. Eve, Lilith and Salome - who through their supposedly unnatural acts of defiance, aggression, or desire for autonomy - have been demonised throughout history to serve as a warning as to how disruptive and destructive female sexuality can be if left unchecked.
The three filmed performances seek to not only explore these women in their moment of defiance but, more importantly, to challenge the demonised perceptions of the so-called ‘unnatural’ woman - that have been used to warn women as to the dangers of such desires and/or actions. Each of the films celebrate these women for their supposedly ‘unwomanly’ ways and draws upon the moment in which each woman asserts her own will; revealing her true inner strength in order to achieve her own sense of autonomy and defy the traditional, suffocating role that has been allotted to them throughout history. By extension, the films seek to force the audience question why these ingrained perceptions still exist today.
The third film draws upon the moment when Salome (the young princess of Judea in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew and later the focus of Oscar Wilde’s tragedy Salome (1891)) tastes the blood of John the Baptist - after dancing seductively for her uncle/stepfather - in one final desperate attempt to posses him mind, body and soul. While her uncle, who killed his brother, married his sister in law and covets the body of his own niece/step-daughter goes unpunished, it is Salome’s more dominant, ‘masculine’ sexuality that ultimately leads to her being punished for her “monstrous” nature. It is her inherently violent and sexual nature that has been used to not only caution women against the destructive power of female seduction, but to also serve as a warning as to the dangers such ‘unwomanly’ desires and actions may lead to.
Eve: Christina Wolfe
Lilith: Tia Rolph
Salome: Cecile Sinclair
Film Crew
Artist | Filmmaker | Producer: Laura Jean Healey
1st Assistant Director: Tom Fraser Ivens
Movement Director: Sarita Piotrowski
Phantom Technician: Robin Horn
Digital Imaging Technicians: Michael Pentney & Chris Matthews
Gaffer: Michael McDermott
Art Director: May Davies
Art Assistant: Kat Docherty
Make Up Artist: Paul Rodgers
Hair Stylist: Ian Grummitt
Behind the Scenes: Kristian Fitsall
Studio Assistant: Tori Ferenc
Post Production
Post Production by Technicolor
Post Production Producer: Amy Gilkerson
Colourist: Jodie Davidson
Composer: Sam Bucknall
Project Partners: Panavision London, Panalux London, Direct Digital London, Technicolor, Palmbrokers, Greenlit, Sedition.
Special thanks to: Rory Blain, Adam Coles, David Searle, Peter Storey and Jonny Garbutt.
