Inspired by the Greek myth Leda and the Swan, Blacktop Sky examines the intersection of love, violence, and seduction.
CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSION OF RAPE AND SEXUAL COERCION
Though never specifically referenced within the content of the script itself, Leda in the Swan is mentioned as an inspiration for Blacktop Sky in several areas. No specific explanations for this have been given, but looking at the myth and following material can help to give some ideas.
Leda was a figure in Greek mythology married to the king of Sparta. She is best known, however, for being seduced by king of the gods Zeus when he turned into swan. From this, she bore an egg that produced two children, one of whom was Helen of Troy who would be instrumental in the Trojan War. In some versions of the myth, Zeus granted Leda immortality, transforming her into Nemesis, the goddess of revenge.
The myth of Leda and the swan is one that has captured the fascination of many artists over time. Many have depicted the seduction of Leda in a highly eroticized and explicit manner in painting and sculpture. Writers and poets have written much on the myth as well, perhaps most famously 20th century Irish poet W.B. Yeats' poem that treats the encounter as a violent rape.
The many versions of the Leda and the swan myth, combined with the numerous and differing retellings, complicates the story immensely. Questions of agency, coercion, power, violence, gender, and beauty are all present when looking at Leda and the swan as a whole. Trying to map any single version of the myth onto the events of Blacktop Sky may be reductive - however, these questions can spark a much larger conversation.
Leda was a figure in Greek mythology married to the king of Sparta. She is best known, however, for being seduced by king of the gods Zeus when he turned into swan. From this, she bore an egg that produced two children, one of whom was Helen of Troy who would be instrumental in the Trojan War. In some versions of the myth, Zeus granted Leda immortality, transforming her into Nemesis, the goddess of revenge.
The myth of Leda and the swan is one that has captured the fascination of many artists over time. Many have depicted the seduction of Leda in a highly eroticized and explicit manner in painting and sculpture. Writers and poets have written much on the myth as well, perhaps most famously 20th century Irish poet W.B. Yeats' poem that treats the encounter as a violent rape.
The many versions of the Leda and the swan myth, combined with the numerous and differing retellings, complicates the story immensely. Questions of agency, coercion, power, violence, gender, and beauty are all present when looking at Leda and the swan as a whole. Trying to map any single version of the myth onto the events of Blacktop Sky may be reductive - however, these questions can spark a much larger conversation.