Ode to Daphne (2019)

Daphne's head explodes when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. She notices the presence of trees breathing out oxygen along her bus route to the local tube station. She walks along a street fringed with London Plane Trees that originate in London in the 1750s. From the outside all seems normal but from the inside we see she is turning into a tree. She seeks solace at the Church of St Clement Danes which is the site of an ancient holy well. In the crypt she has a vision of the attempted rape of her namesake, Daphne, who was a water spirit. Her lover the Crow calls out to her but there is no answer. Mother Nature takes pity on her and turns her into a tree to keep her safe. Meanwhile, the river Thames flows on pitilessly, turning a blind eye to the people in chains and drawing themselves. Father Thames looks away. However, when the tide goes out, the water sparkles with the city lights. Beneath the water baby Daphne gives a blessing invoking cool winds and shady trees to attend to her. The winds stir in the trees and transform Daphne back into human form snoring in front of the TV. She breathes and bathes. The Crow calls out again and this time is answered. The birds sing jubilantly and the two lovers can be heard laughing in the trees.