The Nymph

After a crushing defeat, the injured knight Nicholas meets Ilo, a water nymph whose healing powers come at a cost to the natural world around them. Friendship becomes love, but their relationship turns toxic when Nicholas begins exploiting Ilo’s magic for wealth. Can they find their way back to each other?

Composer’s notes

The score accompanies almost the entire film, changing its musical language as the relationship develops. It begins with traditional orchestral writing and a brief medieval passage to establish the fairy-tale world. Ilo’s arrival brings a lighter, magical palette; as the two fall in love, lush strings introduce warmth and a subtle contemporary touch.

When greed takes over, pop drums and synthesizers replace the fairy-tale orchestra. The sound becomes colder and more relentless, building towards a violent climax. Brief echoes of the opening arrangement suggest a longing for what has been lost.

The music falls silent during the lovers’ confrontation. It returns only when regret and the possibility of forgiveness emerge. Piano and a gentler contemporary sound reflect how their relationship has changed, while the love theme’s strings return fully as they embrace. As the film reveals its message, a soft, pulsing electronic beat shifts the perspective towards the audience: a subtle call to action.

ADC Talent Award jury on the score

"An extraordinary score that elevates the film through its remarkable attention to detail and emotional power."

"Together with the sound design, it creates a richly layered sonic world that draws the audience directly into the story while elegantly guiding them through the film."

"An impressive example of musical storytelling at the highest international level."