It Is Now Our Time: Peter Sellars’ The Merchant of Venice (1994)

Introduction
"It Is Now Our Time: Peter Sellars' The Merchant of Venice" is a 1994 movie adjustment of William Shakespeare's distinguished play, "The Merchant of Venice". The film, directed by the eccentric Peter Sellars, seeks to expose the questionable styles of racial bigotry and economic exploitation underpinning the original play. The movie is engaging as it utilizes New York City's Wall Street as the backdrop, thus instilling a modern-day interpretation to a traditional piece of literature.

A Multicultural Cast
Peter Sellars took a non-traditional technique by integrating a multicultural cast. This choice to represent different racial communities magnifies the racial stress that exists in the play. The character functions vary: Shylock is played by a black star, Portia by a Japanese-American artist, and Antonio by a Latin American entertainer. This ensemble adds a depth to the story by providing Shakespeare's overcome a racial lens thus generating rich and engaging efficiencies from the cast.

Modern-day Setting
Another standout feature of the film is the director's choice to set the story versus the backdrop of New York City's Wall Street, linking it to modern times. This modern background provides a stark contrast to the 16th-century Venetian setting of the original play. It draws a parallel between the greed and exploitation related to Wall Street and the cash lending service in the original play. Sellar's innovative option casts the themes of the initial play in a fresh light, providing modern audiences with a chance to link and comprehend these ageless styles in a new context.

Bringing Contrast through Music
In addition, the film successfully uses sound style and music to stress and contrast the characters' emotions. The music rating, composed by John Adams, masterfully enhances the remarkable stress throughout the narrative.

Managing the Narrative
Sellars, understood for his contemporary and questionable method to theatre, utilizes movie strategies to manage the story and shift audiences' sympathies. For example, by portraying Shylock as a victim of racial discrimination, he aims to alter the perception of Shyock's character from a villain to a tragic figure. This reinterpretation has been both applauded and criticised for its variance from Shakespeare's original intent.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Peter Sellars' adjustment of "The Merchant of Venice", "It Is Now Our Time" incorporates an unique interpretation of this classic play. By utilizing a multicultural cast, positioning the story in the dynamic Wall Street, utilizing a captivating rating, and by humanising the character of Shylock, Sellars has actually turned the play into a powerful commentary on greed, exploitation, and racism. Regardless of its departure from Shakespeare's original text, this interpretation accomplished its objective to engage a modern-day audience and provoke them to review these classic, important social problems.

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