Chants

'Chants' is not a film that lends itself to traditional narrative analysis. Its strength lies in its purely meditative quality. The director intended it as a way to soothe nerves, focusing on the visual of crosses floating in space and the accompanying chants. While it can evoke a sense of the heavenly and deep space, its impact is more about a subjective, internal experience rather than an intellectual puzzle to be solved. It’s an invitation to simply be present with the imagery and sound.

The visual style of 'Chants' is deliberately minimalist and abstract. The film features Coptic crosses, described as cheap plastic items, shot against black velvet. This technique was employed to make the crosses appear as if they are floating in a vast, deep space, emanating a sense of the heavenly. The intention was to create ethereal, contemplative imagery that invites the viewer into a meditative state. The focus is on the visual purity and symbolic resonance of these floating objects.

Interestingly, 'Chants' found an unexpected audience in the Hare Krishna Movement, who frequently rented the film for use at their camps during the period of its flourishing. This speaks to the film's meditative and spiritual qualities, resonating with practices focused on inner peace and devotion. Additionally, footage from 'Chants' was repurposed by Albie Thoms for the ABC TV youth program GTK, where its serene, abstract imagery created a strikingly unusual contrast within the context of a pop music show.

The genesis of 'Chants' stemmed from a personal need for calm after a series of busy films. The director found inspiration in a Greek souvenir shop, where they discovered Coptic crosses, and concurrently heard Gregorian chants. The visual appeal of these seemingly simple, inexpensive plastic crosses, particularly when filmed to appear as if floating in a deep, celestial space, formed the core of the film's aesthetic. This combination of tangible objects and ethereal soundscapes aimed to create a profoundly meditative atmosphere.

'Chants' is explicitly described as a meditation, designed to soothe nerves rather than provide a narrative arc. The director sought to create a contemplative viewing experience, with the floating Coptic crosses against black velvet intended to evoke heavenly images and a sense of deep space. It's a film where very little happens, focusing instead on visual and auditory suggestion to encourage internal reflection in the viewer. The lack of plot means the audience is invited to project their own meaning onto the imagery and sound.