KORE

Kore, a young woman living under her controlling mother's roof, dreams of becoming Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, and grapples with understanding these persistent visions while craving independence. 

Currently in post-production.

Please enjoy the excerpt below!

Written & Directed by Zaha Alieva     Co-Produced by Zaha Alieva & Julissa Scopino    Cinematography by Nada Stjepanovic

Director's statement:

In the traditional narrative, Persephone is abducted by Hades, the god of the Underworld, and forced to marry him, becoming the Queen of the Underworld. Her powerful mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest and fertility, strikes a deal with Hades: Persephone will spend half the year above ground with her mother and the other half in the Underworld with her husband. When Persephone is gone, Demeter mourns and refuses to work which leads to fertility pause. This myth was the ancient Greeks' way of explaining the cycle of the seasons and the life-death-rebirth continuum.

However, a more modern interpretation prompts us to ask: What if Persephone wasn't abducted? What if she chose to leave her mother willingly?

These questions led me to envision a modern-day Persephone, whom I’ve named Kore - a nod to one of the ancient epithets for Persephone. In my retelling, Kore is a recent immigrant from Chile, living in New York City under her mother's roof.

Exploring the complexities of the immigrant parent-child relationship is central to this narrative. As an immigrant myself, I am intrigued by the nuanced dynamics that emerge when family and individual identities intertwine. For many who immigrate with their parents, the sense of self often blurs with the collective "we," as mutual support becomes essential for navigating a new life. In Kore's story, I aim to delve into these intricate bonds, examining the tension between familial duty and the desire for personal independence, and how this struggle shapes one's identity in a foreign land.

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