ELEMENTS OF MINE

On the bed were resting two bodies, naked. They were stretched out motionlessly next to each other with only fingertips touching. At times there wavered over eyelids and brows a change from within. Silently I admired relaxed and powerful limbs and gentle breathing, with the swelling of chests and the hollowing out of hips. No alarm or turbulent thought aroused the sleepers. Their smooth skin, dappled with light, knew only the strain of pleasure. No pleas had left the parted lips, no tears had laden the eye-lashes, whose shadows played occasionally over the cheeks. My heart began to pound. So, after all, there was something unstained by sorrow. The proof was lying before me (…) In each throat pulsed an artery. I viewed the two bodies more closely; I was the one, and I was the other. Yes, the joy flowing through them, like two streams soulful and endless - I found their sources in me. My lonely heart sent life out into those fingertips lightly enmeshed. There, in the midst of turmoil and light, I was overwhelmed by such a forceful feeling that it seemed to wrench the soul out of my body, and I woke up drenched in sweat (…) I felt in fief to the senses. Thus were shown to me the first boundaries of my being... I felt less debasement than pleasure, for so strong was my vanity that I was nearly as thrilled at being debased as at being uplifted.
Julien Green, The other Sleep

FIRST PRIZE AT MOVING PICTURES FESTIVAL / TORORNTO and PRIZE FOR JORGE MORRO AND NICOLA MASCIA FOR BEST ON SCREEN PERFORMANCE

PRIZE FOR BEST SOUND, 4EMES RENCONTRES DE L'IMAGE / CAIRO