In a moving performance, acclaimed American actress Julianne Moore recites lines from K.P. Cavafy’s poem “Far Away,” which reads: “I would like to express this memory… / But thus it has faded away… as if nothing remains— / because far off lies my early teenage years. / Skin like that made of jasmine… / That August night—was it August?… / I can hardly recall the eyes; I think they were violet… / Oh yes, violet; a sapphire violet.” This recitation is part of a short film by Elena Park, available from today, which coincides with the birthday of the Alexandrian poet on the Onassis Foundation‘s YouTube channel.

“Far Away & Morning Sea”: A short film by Elena Park & Pete Scalzitti | Visual Cavafy

This is one of seven short films created by remarkable artists who immersed themselves in the enchanting waters of Cavafy’s universe. These films are part of the “Visual Cavafy” initiative, linked to the “Archive of Desire” festival held in April and May 2023 in New York, and are debuting digitally today.

Artists such as Evi Kalogirou with “Alexandria,” Elena Park with “Far Away,” “Morning Sea,” “Ithaca,” “Waiting for the Barbarians,” “The Steps,” Christos Sarris collaborating with prisoners in Greek jails with “The Walls,” as well as Jad Abumrad and Mac Premo with “Voices,” engage with the work of the great poet, 162 years after his birth, offering a modern interpretation that explores the cinematic power of his poetic language.

In addition to Julianne Moore, the documentaries also feature pioneering electronic music artist Laurie Anderson and the award-winning actor, director, and playwright Taylor Mac, among others.

Julianne Moore Recites Cavafy 162 Years After His Birth – Video
Laurie Anderson is among the renowned artists reciting lines from K.P. Cavafy.

“Ideal voices of loved ones / those who have died, or those who are / lost to us like the dead./ Sometimes they speak within our dreams; sometimes we hear them in thoughts. / And with their sound, for a moment they return / sounds from the earliest poetry of our lives— / like music, at night, distant, that fades away,” recites Laurie Anderson, a long-time admirer of Cavafy’s work, reading the poem “Voices” against a haunting soundscape.

“Voices”: A short film by Mac Premo & Jad Abumrad featuring Laurie Anderson | Visual Cavafy

Additionally, the Onassis Foundation’s YouTube channel presents a documentary titled “Eternal Desires: The World of K.P. Cavafy, from Alexandria to New York,” directed by Christos Sarris. This documentary, also created in connection with the “Archive of Desire” festival in New York, explores the timelessness of the poet, revealing his political, sensual, and poetic power. Significant Greek and foreign creators who participated in the festival appear in the documentary, including the President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis S. Papadimitriou, the Foundation’s Director of Culture, Aphrodite Panagiotakou, and artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Bob Faust, Evi Kalogirou, Robin Coste Lewis, Petros Klavanis, Dimitris Papadimitriou, Ali Santana, Matthew Niederhauser, John Fitzgelard, and the artistic director of National Sawdust and curator of the festival, Paola Prestini.

Watch the documentary HERE.