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Official Selections

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2024

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DANCE IS LARGER THAN LIFE -
YOU SHOULD SEE IT ON A BIGGER SCREEN!

Though our site is mobile friendly, it's best experienced on a laptop or tablet. We *highly* recommend viewing this way, so you can read all project descriptions and credits.

We hope you enjoy this wonderful selection of dancefilms, each which uniquely combines and "speaks" in their own dialect of the hybrid dance and film language.

Jen Ray

Director & Producer

Programming Team:
Steven Butler, Danielle Jeal, Mark Orsborn, Clare Schweitzer, Hannah Weber, Lolly Ashly

 

Global Perspectives
Dancinema 2024: Burn From the Inside
10:08

Dancinema 2024: Burn From the Inside

'Burn from the Inside' is not your typical narrative work. It delves into the exploration of music and its origins, examining why we have an innate desire to dance or move when we hear music, sound, or voices. It seeks to understand the essence of what triggers our movements and the emotional responses evoked by music. - Mthuthuzeli November The profound question arises: why do certain things compel us to jump up and dance, while others make us want to sit back and do the opposite? The most significant realisation in this exploration is that from the very beginning, we were destined to be moved by sounds. Consider the musicality present in the way we speak. Every language has its own unique cadence and rhythm. For instance, the Khoi people of South Africa employ clicking sounds in their speech, creating a rhythmic quality. Even before externalising it, our own bodies possess inherent musicality. We can observe this in the heartbeat and even in the rhythm of our walking. These natural rhythms can transform into music, affirming that our inclination to move has been woven into the fabric of our existence since the dawn of creation. Reflecting on personal experiences, a childhood memory emerges from the Eastern Cape. Gathered inside a hut, family members would chant while a fire crackled in the sand. The ambiance created by this ritualistic chanting became a favourite lullaby, transporting the young narrator to a state of pure tranquility. In that space, devoid of pain, sadness, or happiness, they found a place of profound stillness. The intention was to preserve the sense of communal togetherness experienced around the fire, a shared moment of deep connection. In creating "Burn from the Inside" Mthuthuzeli sought to capture this communal feeling through the film's unique approach. By immersing oneself in the collective experience, viewers have the opportunity to delve into individual journeys and explore the expansiveness of the depicted space. The film aims to evoke a trance-like state, reminiscent of the personal experiences of the creator. The focus shifts from visual imagery to capturing the essence of being in a trance. It becomes an exploration of what it feels like to exist in a space where time and space lose their boundaries, and the driving beat becomes the guiding force. In this boundless expanse, one may question the vastness or confinement of their surroundings and the proximity of others. Solos are portrayed with individuals appearing distant yet close, creating an otherworldly sensation of unity while simultaneously keeping a distance. The concept of being grounded on Earth while simultaneously transcending it becomes a central theme. It mirrors the imagined realm of an ancestral plane or a space between reality and the afterlife. If one were to encounter their ancestors, it is envisioned as a place that is unfamiliar, yet still connected to Earth. This in-between world, neither fully alive nor dead, allows communication with one's ancestors. Such a trance-like state embodies a similar feeling—a sense of being aware of one's earthly existence while simultaneously occupying a realm that defies explanation. Despite feeling the ground beneath their feet, the soil and dust, and hearing their breathing, there exists a profound sense of existing in an entirely different dimension. London, UK
Dancinema 2024: Le Terrain Vague
02:24

Dancinema 2024: Le Terrain Vague

As the BBoy (breakdancer) traverses the urban expanse of Paris, he embarks on a philosophical odyssey, exploring the labyrinthine depths of the city's soul. "LE TERRAIN VAGUE" transcends mere movement—it is a composition of existence, a poignant reflection on the interconnectedness of dreams and reality. With each graceful step, the dancer becomes a philosopher in motion, navigating the delicate balance between chaos and order, light and shadow. In this ethereal dance, every gesture is imbued with meaning, every leap a leap of faith into the unknown. Rather than merely exploring, the dancer immerses himself in the essence of Paris, unraveling its mysteries like a masterful composer conducting an opus. Through the lens of black and white cinematography, the film transforms the cityscape into a canvas upon which the human experience is painted in shades of introspection and revelation. As the dancer contemplates the transient nature of existence, he transcends the physical realm, soaring to the heights of enlightenment. With each move, he embraces the impermanence of life, finding beauty in the ephemeral and solace in the eternal rhythm of the universe. Ultimately, "LE TERRAIN VAGUE" is a testament to the intrinsic connection between art and existence—a symphony of movement that resonates with the essence of being. Not just a film—it's an ode to the relentless pursuit of passion amidst the stark beauty of Brutalist architecture. It invites audiences to ponder the profound questions of existence, to dance with abandon in the fleeting moments of life, and to find meaning in the enigmatic dance of existence. Writer & Director: Harris Hodovic Producers: Harris Hodovic & Ekrem Engizek Featuring: Timothée TIM Andriamanantena Stuttgart, Germany
Dancinema 2024: Transparent
34:36

Dancinema 2024: Transparent

A gentle manifesto and a visionary work of art itself. At the heart of the film are the reflections of dancer and choreographer Siobhan Davies as she unravels the complex processes that underpin a life’s work in dance. At the same time she looks far beyond herself, touching upon the histories of movement embedded in each of us, allowing the watcher to enter a descriptive world and feel the weight of their own body - walking or turning or falling. The images in the film echo Davies’ thoughts, showing the physical fluidity and depth of movement between all things. Many of these things are from the art world - from ancient sculpture through modern artworks and personal photos. The art is seen to be both felt and material, then transformed by the dancer into something they can hold and use. “The film is called Transparent because for several years I used both tracing paper and acetate to write down notes and collect imagery. Dance involves movement and constant change and the see-through nature of my note taking helped me to experience ideas and images as less fixed in time or place but rather on the way to becoming something else or emerging out of what came before.” Siobhan Davies For Davies each interaction with a work of art is a collaboration, every cultural experience an opportunity to absorb, internalize and re-use the most precious thoughts and feelings of others. Her work with David Hinton and Hugo Glendinning is no different, turning the filming process into a choreography, intertwining three very different makers’ visions to construct a rich screen work that shape shifts between biography, lecture, exhibition, psychological study and scientific experiment. Transparent is a lucid and optimistic work, on the surface there is a delicate sense of an autobiographical narrative, but this narrative can be seen through to reveal an unfixable archive of movement and experience. Animation Editing: Noriko Okaku Cinematographer “Transparency” Part 3: Hugo Glendinning Producer: Pinky Ghundale Archive Producer: Fourth Drawer Production Assistance: Rosa Manzi Reid Sound Design: Chu-Li Shewring & Stefan Smith Additional Composition “A Lived in Circle” Part 2: Stefan Smith Sound Supervisor: Chu-Li Shewring Music: Matteo Fargion & Aisha Orazbayeva Voiceover Recording: Hugo Glendinning, Andy Franzkowiak Archive Support: Rob Prouse Distribution & Exhibition Consultant: Johanna Blair Creative Consultant: Gareth Evans Siobhan Davies Studios Executive Director: Damaris McDonald Siobhan Davies Studios Development Manager: Carrie Anne Ratcliff London, UK
Made in The USA