The Arena

Renowned actor Greta Scacchi narrates this atmospheric poem telling the story of a gladiator fighting in the arena, while his mother watches on, unable to protect him. After looking away to distract herself from the danger he is in, she is reminded of happier times when he was a child, free of responsibility.

This short film reflects on how the memories of our loved ones and our relationships to them are a fact, no matter how powerful circumstances are that take us away from them. Dreamlike sequences intercut together to accompany the story, and come together in the last lines of the poem.

As Greta has played parts in French and Italian films – aside from learning German for one role – we decided to film an additional version of the film in Italian, separate to the English version. The poem was translated, and had a different feel in performance.

The Arena is part of four narrated poems filmed in varied locations, which can be shown separately but will also be edited together with music, forming a sequence.

The location

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, West Wittering is an idyllic sandy beach located at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, chosen for this film as a place that could easily bring to mind childhood memories of the seaside.