The Odyssey
 

"Odyssey" is a visual poem. It was shot in the Anza-Borrego Desert during a grueling, ten day shoot with the reflected temperature off the desert floor at 140'. The work portrays the odyssey of a woman/goddess/mankind, born from the sand, evolving from birth to innocence and then to growth, knowledge, pride and sin and, finally, through death to a transcendental reunion with her creator (the One).

The aim of the film is to heighten the viewer's spiritual awareness. This is a non-traditional film that attempts to reach and stimulate the viewer's inner being; to touch by non-literate means through the use of images, music, design and theme.

"Odyssey" was shot in the summer of 1982 while the crew members were attending the University of Southern California Cinema School working on their MFA degrees. The cinematographer, Jay Roach, later directed the two Austin Power films as well as Mystery, Alaska and Meet the Parents. The editor, Robert Rodat, later wrote the screenplays Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot and many others. The production manager, Linda Chen, became a leading on-set still photographer in Hollywood.

Credits:

Directed by Barry J. Hershey.
The woman is played by Jennifer Green.
Music composed by Harold Budd.
Director of Photography is Jay Roach.
The edited by Robert Rodat.
The production manager is Linda Chen.

Awards:

1. "Odyssey" was awarded a Gold Hugo by the 22nd Chicago International Film Festival (1986).

2. "Odyssey" has received a CINE Golden Eagle (1986), awarded by the Council on International Non-Theatrical Events, which is evidence of the film's suitability to represent the United States and American cinematography in international festivals abroad.

3. The International Jury of the BRNO International Film Festival, held in Czechoslovakia, awarded "Odyssey" their Silver Medal in November, 1986.

4. The 1987 Velden International Film Festival (Austria) presented two awards to "Odyssey": Silver Medal Golden Scissors - for Best Edited Film 5. The 1986 PSM-VMPD American International Film Festival has awarded five awards to "Odyssey": VMPD Silver Medal Best Experimental Film Best Cinematography Golden Microphone - for Most Effective Use of Sound Golden Scissors - for Best Edited Film

6. On November 28, 1986, "Odyssey" had its premiere television screening on KQED-TV, public television in San Francisco, on the program "Frontal Exposure", a showcase
for filmmakers and videographers.

7. The Kenyon Film Festival awarded "Odyssey" Best Experimental Film (1987).

8. "Odyssey" received an Honorable Mention from the Film Council of Greater Columbus at the 34th Columbus International Film Festival on October 30, 1986.

9. "Odyssey" received a Certificate of Merit from Malta's Golden Knight International Film Festival in November, 1986.

10. "Odyssey" received an Honorable Mention from Philafilm, The Philadelphia International Film Festival, in July, 1987. 11. "Odyssey" received a Certificate of Merit from the Kinetic Image Film Group's Eleventh International Film Festival in November, 1986.

12. "Odyssey" was shown at the XVI International Film Festival "Nature, Man and His Environment" in Rome (November, 1986). 13. "Odyssey" won a "Certificate of Merit" at the Suffolk County Film and Video Festival in New York in October 1990.


   

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