An epic road-trip buddy movie, that aims to dispel the fear and myths surrounding the most famous playwright in history. One dame, eight knights and two friends will change the way you feel about Shakespeare forever!
MUSE OF FIRE is an 83-minute feature documentary produced by actors and debut filmmakers, Giles Terera and Dan Poole. Released by Illuminations for the first time on DVD, the film follows Dan and Giles as they travel the globe to discover everything they can about tackling Shakespeare, arguably the greatest storyteller of all time.
The film documents their four-year journey around the world: to Elsinore in Denmark, London’s Globe theatre, a prison in Berlin, taking in Hollywood as they go. Along the road they consult a whole host of helpful luminaries, often going to great lengths to secure interviews with some of the greatest Shakespearean actors of all time. These include Ian McKellen, Judi Dench (to whom a cake was sent), Derek Jacobi, Mark Rylance, Tom Hiddleston, Jude Law, Baz Luhrman, Ewan McGregor and many more besides. It’s a heartfelt, fun and inspiring film that aims to demystify and illuminate Shakespeare's work for just about anyone: from actors, directors, theatre-goers, students, to the person on the street. Think Shakespeare is boring? Think again!
Dan and Giles were two friends who loathed Shakespeare at school. Then one day they saw Baz Luhrman’s film, Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes and everything changed. They decided to become actors, made their way to London and fell in love with the Bard in the process. Determined to know what the secret is, and whether anyone else feels the same way, they grabbed their cameras and began their incredible journey, which was entirely self-funded. The result was one of the most eagerly anticipated films on the festivals circuit over the past two years.
Original feature length version of MUSE OF FIRE (83 mins)
Audio Described
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese
DVD Extras:
Shakespeare in Practice (65 mins)
Filmed at the National Theatre Studios, the film features a company of actors and practitioners performing key sequences from Shakespeare’s works, including Sonnets, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Footage is accompanied by fascinating commentary by Ian McKellan, Bonnie Greer, Fiona Shaw, Peter Hall, Brian Cox, Derek Jacobi, Henry Goodman, and co-founded of the RSC, John Barton.
Willow Song with Judi Dench, from a touching scene with Desdemona and her maid in Othello. The music accompanying Shakespeare’s text was composed by Giles Terera and the music video specially filmed in the run up to the launch of MUSE OF FIRE.
Subtitles: English
"It’s up to all of us who know a little bit about it to pass it on. If we can show people that it isn’t something to be feared, that it’s something to glory in, then you’re home and dry."
‘Muse Of Fire’ is one of the most extensive and completely free video resources featuring the most compelling actor/director interviews available. Brought to you in conjunction with Shakespeares Globe, and filmed and produced by Dan Poole and Giles Terera through Timebomb Pictures.
llluminations is an independent media producer and publisher. Recent productions include Hamlet (2009) with David Tennant, Macbeth (2010) with Patrick Stewart, and the Royal Shakespeare Company Julius Caesar (2012). Our work has been recognised by both an International Emmy and a BAFTA, as well as numerous other awards and festival screenings. We are proud of our international reputation for intelligent and innovative filmmaking.
Original Soundtrack Recording to Muse Of Fire.
Composed by Giles Terera over the course of the making of the film. Every track had a spark from every location visited, and inspiration came from very specific moments. The soundtrack was recorded and produced at BEGGARS’ CHOICE Studios in Manchester, under the superb guidance of
Matthew Steele.
"An indispensable aid to debunking Shakespeare and making him accessible."
