When I viewed the film for the first time, it became obvious to me that I would have to treat it as I would the libretto of a six act theatrical opera.

I did not try to go against its dramatic structure, but on the contrary, reinforced it. This is not an epic movie, but rather a tragedy involving the Devil's Field and five characters. Murnau reveals his characters through close-ups, and extremely expressionistic aesthetics to explore spaces, appearances and gestures.

Loneliness, lies, tension and the unspoken are the elements that make up what I like to call a diabolical polyphony that is being inexorably played out. I decided to compose for quintet. This chamber music formation comporting clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion, insures that every sound melds with a specific character, and like a shadow follows the passion that binds and destroys each of them. My intention was to reflect the mind and soul of the characters. I tried to put myself inside the film and Murnau's direction, to work with him as if he were alive today.

Anne-Marie Fijal