Let Me Come In

Bill Morrison’s experimental short film featuring decayed reels from the lost, German silent movie “Liebeshölle” by Wiktor Bieganski & Carmine Gallone (1928). Co-presented by the Los Angeles Opera with composer David Lang and soprano Angel Blue.

Bill Morrison says: The backstory of “Liebeshölle” involves a Russian ballerina who after having been separated from her young son in 1917, throws herself into the Seine in Paris, where upon she is rescued by an artist. The action of “Let Me Come In” starts as he is bringing her into his house after having fished her out of the river. Without context, it is not immediately clear what is the relationship between the two characters. Maybe the exhausted woman is seeking protection? It then appears that he may be taking advantage of her in her compromised state, as he carries her upstairs and then disrobes her. But he proceeds to tend to her. In the end, he may have been a dream or waking fantasy of hers, as she waited for her lover to return home.