Through music born from the American Civil War and World War II, Clear Voices in the Dark explores how art preserves memory, sustains hope, and helps us endure times of conflict.
In 1943, with France was under Nazi occupation, Francis Poulenc composed Figure Humaine in secret, setting resistance-inspired poems by Paul Éluard.
Clear Voices in the Dark places this towering wartime masterwork alongside songs from the American Civil War and a new exploration of America the Beautiful, creating a reflection on freedom, sacrifice, memory, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
Filmed at the Shalin Liu Performance Center and shaped by historic landscapes in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., the project combines live performance, history, place, and contemporary reflection in a new cinematic form.
The project is being developed with anticipated public media distribution. Additional distribution planned for film festivals, museums, and online streaming.
The film seeks to bring together historians, musicians, veterans, and cultural leaders in a conversation about the role of art in times of national trial.
Those interested in being a part of this project should contact Matthew Guard.