For over decade, Jade Valor has dreamed about bringing her version of the biblical character Salomé to the big screen, and that dream takes a step closer today with the official novel launch in Wellington tonight. Some official artwork for the novel/film has also been released and we have these sumptuous and striking images by artist Matt Donnici for you here.
But this story actually starts in the 1960’s when Valor was a budding opera singer in New York and first came across the Strauss opera Salomé – composed in 1905 and based on Oscar Wilde’s 1893 Victorian drama in which Salomé takes a perverse fancy for John the Baptist, and has him executed when he spurns her affections.
Years later, in 1978 and while in Germany, Jade was blown away by the particular adaptation she was performing in. She became obsessed with reading the original text and subsequent translation, both depicting Salomé as a depraved, waton young girl. What Valor discovered was that Wilde saw Salomé as more of a mystic than a femme fatale, and that her name actually translates as ‘The Peaceable One’. So Jade was determined to one day redeem Salomé and restore her innocence.
In 2001 she began work on the screenplay with writing partner Sharlie Pryce. Several years later their high-concept, sci-fi fantasy love story was ready to shop around, but it needed some serious funding if it was ever to make it to the big screen. Jade and Sharlie decided to turn the screenplay into a novel and self-publish, then look to get funding for the film off the back of favourable reviews. And so now they arrive at tonight’s book launch.
The official synopsis reads:
When two Light-beings on their cosmic journey find themselves drawn to the bright blue planet Earth, little do they know what consequences their presence in that world will bring. He – becomes Elijah, the Prophet who must wait 3,000 years for his Beloved that their mission may be realized. She – is Earth’s last hope: Salomé – cosmic Dancer, Bringer of Peace – born the princess of the Middle Eastern domain of Doreh, niece of its power-hungry Archlord.
Awakened to her destiny, Salomé must renounce life as a princess to challenge her tyrant uncle and the ten Magnates who threaten to subjugate not only this world, but also the mystical Homeworld from whence she and her Beloved have come.
What price must the Lovers pay for the freedom of both worlds?
Two of the key characters have rather interesting film connections, with Jade and Sharlie drawing inspiration from actors Elijah Wood and John Malkovich. There’s a great story behind the inspiration, which we’ll explore in future posts.
We wish Jade and Sharlie the best of luck and will be keeping a close eye on their progress. A new version of the screenplay is currently underway, with help from script consultant extraordinaire Steve Barr.
The novel is available from Amazon – in paperback or Kindle form. You can also follow the project on their website and Facebook page.
Here’s the gorgeous artwork:
Awakened to her destiny, Salomé must renounce life as a princess to challenge her tyrant uncle and the ten Magnates who threaten to subjugate not only this world, but also the mystical Homeworld from whence she and her Beloved have come.
What price must the Lovers pay for the freedom of both worlds?
Released as a book tonight, with the aim to gain interest for the motion picture.
