Theory of Flames

Libretto by Michel van der Aa (E)

2S,M,Bar; choir (12 singers, on pre-recorded film);
chamber orchestra or version for ensemble

Arthouse filmmaker Neola Balan is working on a science fiction film about a laboratory where cutting-edge research is conducted on miniature black holes. The opera begins with the opening scene of Neola’s film, which bears the title “Theory of Flames.” The film alternates between previously recorded footage and new scenes being filmed live on a set on stage. Marianne, the lead actress, plays the role of the scientist in the live footage, which is seamlessly edited with the pre- recorded material in real-time. Neola’s trusted cameraman and longtime collaborator, Josh, operates the live camera on set.

The film’s production takes an unexpected turn when Neola, while doing background research, discovers newspaper articles about a real-life laboratory fire and a missing scientist. Each day on set, Neola makes small changes to the script, implementing her new findings. Tensions rise between her, cameraman Josh, and actress Marianne. This also affects the personal relationship between Marianne and Neola, as we learn that they are romantically involved.

Neola wonders if the scientist who died in the fire of the real-life laboratory is actually still alive and is completing the experiments. Despite Marianne’s attempts to reach out, Neola withdraws further from those around her, causing a rift in their relationship. What begins as research for the film quickly develops into an obsession as Neola becomes convinced of a government conspiracy surrounding the incident. She decides to transform their science fiction film into a documentary about the real scientist.

Josh notices the growing tensions between Neola and Marianne but convinces himself that it’s best to adopt a passive role, to just do his job and not take sides. He sees himself as neutral, simply filming all that the director asks of him. But gradually, as he perceives Neola’s concepts becoming more far-reaching, he begins to question whether he is still truly innocent by supporting her theories.

The line between Neola’s film and the live creation of this film on stage becomes increasingly blurred. Late at night, Neola is editing the film and zooms in on a shot of the burning lab. As she zooms in closer, the grainy face of a woman appears from the background. Neola recognizes her and wonders if she was an extra or just a bystander. She shows the close-up to Josh and Marianne, but they fail to understand her obsession with this detail.

Marianne becomes increasingly uneasy with the situation on set and tries to convince Neola that her assumptions and plot changes are unfounded. Their professional and romantic relationship deteriorates even further. Eventually, with the two no longer able to establish any form of connection, Marianne leaves the set. As Neola falls deeper into the rabbit hole, she accuses Josh of concealing the truth. He leaves the set. The crew gradually abandons the project, leaving Neola to work alone.

Neola now lives and sleeps on the film set. She keeps working on the documentary. With her entire crew gone, she operates the camera herself and also plays the role of the scientist in front of the camera. Alienated from her colleagues and loved ones, she completely loses her grip on reality. The woman from the close-up of the film footage appears on the projection screen and becomes the only person with whom Neola can still connect. Neola becomes so confident in the theory that the scientist had escaped the fire that she decides to include it as the thrilling climax of her documentary. She reconstructs a section of the lab on the film set and begins reenacting the scientist’s escape. However, with no other crew members present to manage the fire, it rapidly spreads beyond her control. Neola meets a tragic fate as she dies in the flames.

We hear “cut,” and Marianne and Josh appear alongside the camera. It’s a thrilling plot twist that shatters our preconceived notions – all along, we have been watching Marianne and Josh completing a documentary following Neola’s tragic death in the fire ...

In a surprising plot twist our preconceived notions are shattered. The ending blends past and present, reality and fiction, leaving each member of the audience to construct their own interpretation of the truth.

Dramatic