Première of Love's Bitter Mystery

Bloomsday in Melbourne brings James Joyce’s provocative masterpiece to life with a new immersive film, Love’s Bitter Mystery. Set in the atmospheric post-gold-boom mansion at Villa Alba in Kew, this feature focuses on a critical year (1903-4) in the young author’s life and how he used (and changed) episodes from his own life in his famously controversial novel Ulysses. The film is a new joint venture between Bloomsday and arts-streaming service Scene under the gifted Filmmaker, Jak Scanlon and the multi-talented Director, Carly Wilding.

Steve Carey, screenplay writer and Joyce buff, comments: ‘This is such a fascinating time in the young James Joyce’s life. Our film explores young Joyce’s awakenings, both romantic and artistic.’ This neo-gothic, literary biopic delivers ghosts, violence, romance and music, as well as a tumultuous year in the life of the young Jim Joyce.