Imogen, the only daughter of King Cymbeline whose two sons were
kidnapped as children, secretly marries Posthumus, despite being
betrothed to Cloten, the son of Cymbeline’s new Queen. Posthumus
is banished to Rome by Cymbeline, who is acting under the
influence of the Queen. But Imogen sees right through the Queen’s
fake kindness. What will be the fate of these star-crossed
lovers?
Lead Artist: Scarlett Kim
Medium: 2D Video (with hand drawn visual text, 3D-modeled sets and
AI-generated paintings)
EP 2: TRUE/FALSE
Iachimo, an Italian Lord, wagers with Posthumus at Philario’s
parlor in Rome that he can seduce Imogen. Meanwhile, the Queen
orders Cornelius, the doctor, to make her a poison for
experimenting with small animals, though the suspicious Cornelius
gives her a sleeping potion instead. The Queen hands the “poison”
to Pisanio, Posthumus’ servant, calling it a restorative. Will
Iachimo win the bet? Will the Queen succeed in her plot to
eliminate Posthumus and force Imogen and Cloten together?
Lead Artist: Eric Ting
Medium: 2D Video (in the style of a graphic novel)
EP 3: TIME
Iachimo arrives at Cymbeline’s court and paints a garishly
unfaithful and callous picture of Posthumus for Imogen, and
suggests she get revenge by sleeping with him. Imogen rebukes
Iachimo’s advances and he declares that he was testing her
fidelity on behalf of Posthumus. At night, while Imogen is asleep,
Iachimo emerges from a chest stored in her bedchamber, studies her
birthmark and the architecture of the room, then steals her
bracelet—what will Iachimo do with this information?
Lead Artist: Scarlett Kim
Medium: 2D Video (with handcrafted collage landscapes and two
alternate endings)
EP 4: THE COUNTERFEIT
Imogen rejects Cloten’s obscene serenade and he vows revenge.
Iachimo returns to Rome to declare his victory, parading Imogen’s
bracelet. Posthumus is incredulous at first but eventually
convinced. He turns over his ring, then curses Imogen and all
women. What will Posthumus do next? How will Cloten take revenge?
Will Iachimo's lie ever come to light?
Lead Artist: Nataki Garrett
Medium: 2D Video (with 3D-modeleted set)
EP 5: THE GAME
Caius Lucius, the Roman ambassador, demands Britain pay tribute
to Rome, and when Cymbeline refuses, declares war. Pisanio, in
horror, moves on Posthumus’ order to murder Imogen for her
infidelity, by giving her a letter from Posthumus telling her to
meet him at Milford Haven, in Wales. Meanwhile, Belarius
celebrates life in the Welsh wilderness with his sons, Guiderius
and Arviragus, who lament life away from civilization. Alone,
Belarius reflects about the young men’s royal heritage, as they
are secretly Cymbeline’s sons he kidnapped to avenge his unjust
exile. How will the princes’ true identity play a role in the
looming war?
Lead Artist: ruth tang
Medium: Choose-Your-Own Adventure Website
EP 6: THE DISGUISE
With war between Britain and Rome brewing, Belarius, Guiderius
and Arviragus clash over life in the wilderness. Now at Milford
Haven, Pisanio comes clean about Posthumus’ plot, and a
disillusioned Imogen asks him to kill her. Pisanio suggests that
they maintain the appearance of having followed through with the
plan and lead Posthumus to believe she is dead, to instill guilt
in him. Meanwhile, Imogen plans to disguise herself as a boy and
join the Roman Ambassador Lucius. Imogen leaves court in drag as
Cloten plots to rape her, dressed in Posthumus’ clothes. Will
Cloten succeed in his heinous plan?
Lead Artist: Tara Ahmadinejad
Medium: 2D Video (in the style of a reality show with AI-generated
paintings)
EP 7: THE THRESHOLD
Imogen finds shelter in the Welsh wilderness. Guiderius and
Arviragus find Imogen—in disguise, as the boy Fidele—in their
cave. The three share a strange kinship. While this is happening,
the Roman army charges for Britain. Back in the cave, Imogen
drinks the potion Pisanio gave her (originally given to Pisanio by
the Queen) thinking it to be medicine. Cloten, dressed in
Posthumus's clothing, rashly challenges Guiderius, Arviragus, and
Belarius to fight. Guiderius decapitates Cloten. What ripple
effect will Cloten’s death have?
Lead Artist: Monty Cole
Medium: 360-degree Video (with handdrawn animation)
EP 8: DIANA
Belarius panics as the young men revel in the death of Cloten.
Arviragus discovers Fidele in a state they believe to be death,
and places her body next to the headless Cloten. They sing an
elegy. Imogen awakens next to a headless body wearing Posthumus’
clothes and grieves, thinking that her love has died. Luicus comes
across the inconsolable Imogen. Imogen, as Fidele, offers herself
to become a page to Lucius. Will Imogen ever learn the truth?
Lead Artist: Diana Oh
Medium: 2D Video (with handdrawn visual text and analog video
synthesis)
EP 9: JUPITER
The war swells—Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus join the British
forces. Posthumus is consumed with guilt upon receiving a bloody
handkerchief from Pisanio, understanding it to signal Imogen’s
death. This causes him to switch to fighting for the British side.
In the heat of battle, Posthumus, in disguise, defeats Iachimo,
who repents having deceived Posthumus. Belarius, Guiderius and
Arviragus rescue Cymbeline and contribute to British victory.
Posthumus changes into Roman garments in hopes of being punished
and is arrested by the British. Posthumus prays for death in
prison. In his sleep, his dead ancestors appear and beg Jupiter to
take mercy on Posthumus. Jupiter blesses him. As the jailor takes
Posthumus to his execution he is intercepted by a messenger from
Cymbeline. What will be Posthumus’ fate?
Lead Artist: Myra Su & Jaerin Son
Medium: 2D Puppetry Film
EP 10: I
Cymbeline knights Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus for
contributing to Britain’s victory in the war. Cornelius announces
the Queen’s death and her last-minute confession of treason.
Lucius begs Cymbeline for mercy, especially for Fidele. Iachimo
confesses to his trickery. As Posthumus advances to strike
Iachimo, he rashly pushes aside Imogen who is in the middle of
stripping off her disguise. The lovers reunite upon Pisanio
announcing Imogen’s true identity.
Imogen reveals she has been poisoned by the Queen. Guiderius
announces that he killed Cloten. Belarius responds to Cymbeline’s
fury against Guiderius by revealing that Guiderius and Arviragus
are princes he kidnapped long ago. The royal family is reunited.
Cymbeline forgives Belarius, and Posthumus forgives Iachimo. The
soothsayer interprets the prophecy left by Posthumus’ side in his
sleep: reunion and prosperity. How long will this peace last?