THE ARRIVAL

THE ARRIVAL is a film about loss, tragedy, and climate change. During the Woolsey Fires in 2018, internationally renowned installation, environmental land artist LITA ALBUQUERQUE lost her home/studio, and archives dating back to the 1960s.

This traumatic event happened at the same time as the birth of her first grandson, Abe (experiencing both life & death simultaneously). Jasmine her daughter (who appears as the Queen) was 8 months pregnant during the fires and recently moved home.

Through this visual opera, we created a surreal performance, dance, music art film, telling the story of Abe (Lita's grandson) returning home for the first time.

In many ways, all the characters are children, existing in this post-apocalyptic world awaiting the Queen (Jasmine) and her baby (Abe). These performers worship the child as if he will one day be king/rule the kingdom. We decided to document this moment through a choreographed performance amongst the ashes of this tragedy.
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a film by JUSTIN TYLER CLOSE
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choreographers NINA MCNEELY JASMINE ALBUQUERQUE
music LO FANG
poem written & read by LITA ALBUQUERQUE
cinematography JEREMY COX
editor MATT HOLLIS
producer JESSICA LAW
producer assistant JAX TRANCHIDA
director assistant: MATEA FRIEND
first ac MIKE LEMNITZER
titles ERIC PESCHEL
calligraphy EMILY J SNYDER
sound design/mix DAYANA CAPULONG
colorist SAM GILLING
pa DAN VJDANI
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ALL PERFORMERS :
(In alphabetical order)

Adé Albuquerque Simmons
Brooke Sheppard
Courtney Scarr
Danny Axley
Erin Murray
Jasmine Albuquerque
Kenzie McClure
Lisa McNeely
Maija Knapp
Tomek Sadursky
Ty Wells
Ryan Spencer
Shakti Mitsuko Orismekusa
Ves Phillippi
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THANKS TO SIRREEL STUDIO RENTALS,
KESLOW CAMERA, JON ORNER, METROPOLIS POST, IAN BOSTICK, SWEAT SPOT, KODAK

Cast: Justin Tyler Close