Stills for The Death of Pentheus - a film installation by artist and filmmaker Philip Haas

Taking an ancient Greek vase showing the death of Pentheus and a maenad, from circa 480 B.C., as inspiration and starting point, this short conjures up the very spirit of Dionysus, the god of wine, sensuality, and abandon.

Directed, written and produced by: Philip Haas 
Co-Produced by: Hannah Ireland 
Cinematography by: Sean Bobbitt

Commissioned by the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, Philip Haas’s series of film installations interpret and elaborate upon selected works in the Museum's permanent collection. At the heart of each installation is a short film, between 5 and 20 minutes long, that gives form to ideas and feelings suggested by the piece in question—an essentially poetic and sensuous response rather than the more purely factual, informative one of a documentary. In most cases, the film is projected on multiple screens within a specially designed environment and enhanced by original music, surrounding and immersing the visitor in the experience. On occasion, the filmed images form themselves into an uncanny re-creation of the given work from the collection.

The Death Of Pentheus film installation was also projected onto the fly tower of the National Theatre in London:
the ancient Greeks trying to climb back into the theatre.