EarRelevant Staff | 14 AUG 2025
BOSTON, Massachusetts— Boston-based composer and librettist John Aylward’s chamber opera film Oblivion has won Best Musical Film at this year’s Cannes World Film Festival, marking its first major international recognition.
The 70-minute one-act work, inspired by Dante’s Purgatorio, was produced by Ravenser Odd Productions with independent filmmaker Graham Swon as co-producer. Directed by Laine Rettmer with cinematography by Alice Millar, the film stars Ty Boque, Nina Guo, Lukas Pappenfuscline, and Cailin Marcel Manson.
Composer and librettist John Aylward. (credit: Geneve Rege)
Aylward, who wrote the story, libretto, and music, began developing Oblivion shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, initially envisioning a live staging. When performances became unfeasible, he proposed adapting the work for film. The production was shot over 12 days at locations including Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the Copper Lantern Motel in West Brimfield, Massachusetts. Post-production combined pre-recorded studio audio with footage from the shoot.
The opera follows two disoriented wanderers navigating a surreal, supernatural realm, exploring themes of self-knowledge, redemption, and the search for truth. Scored for four voices with viola, cello, double bass, electric guitar, and electronics, the work blends spoken and sung text with instrumental writing described by electric guitarist Dan Lippel as “beguiling and mysterious” with an “ethereal and disembodied ambience.”
A cast recording was released in September 2023 on New Focus Recordings, featuring musicians Laura Williamson, MIZU, Greg Chudzik, Lippel, and Aylward, with Stratis Minakakis as musical director and Joel Gordon as recording engineer.
Founded as an annual competition for international filmmakers, the Cannes World Film Festival presents awards in categories ranging from feature and short films to documentaries, animation, and experimental works. Winners are selected by a jury of industry professionals and artists without ties to competing films. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- John Aylward: johnaylward.com
Read more by EarRelevant Staff.
RECENT POSTS
Dallas Symphony’s assistant conductor rises to the challenge in a program of premieres and familiar works • 25 Nov 2025
Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Sandbox Percussion merge forces in Durham for an immersive night honoring jazz drummer Max Roach • 24 Nov 2025
.png){kind=logo}