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LAND MASS, 48min,. UK Directed by Jenni Roditi, Sara Pozin A new kind of liturgy is about to begin… a Land Mass. This is a spontaneous, vocal-visual liturgy for the land, sung by a unique choir, The Improvisers’ Choir, conducted by composer Jenni Roditi, who is creating her conducting directions as the improvised music is sung.
TENDU, 2min., USA Directed by Sophie Power, Michelene Mallard Billy What happens when you grow up in a world where there was only one projected image of what a ballerina “should look like” – down to the pink nude pointe shoes?
Michelene: What I connected the dots on is that all of my motivation to create documentary films are all mainly connected to African American arts, culture and society. Contemporary as well as commercial dance was such a safe space for me. I took part in a handful of productions during my formative years. I’ve followed the world of dance since I slowed down to finish school, and I’ve always been more fascinated with those who looked like me in a mainly white centered profession. After originally shelving the idea of making a Black ballet portrait during a stressful, hectic first semester of cramming and making multiple films to meet class deadlines, Sophie encouraged me to continue to develop the film, even offering to co-direct with me.Thus,Tendu was born.
Sophie: When Michelene first pitched the project, I knew right away that I’d like to collaborate to bring it to life. I was struck immediately by her passion for showcasing Black excellence and we both shared a combined interest in cinematography surrounding the movement of dance. In development, we came across many stories of microaggressions which Black dancers faced in their professional journeys. Particularly in the classrooms/studios of their youth. Because of this, we were driven to turn our focus towards those who were shaking this up and paving a better path for the next generation. The name ‘Tendu’ coming from the French word “tense”, is a core ballet movement which “serves as a foundation for many others”. For this project, we decided to play on this analogy by seeking out a selection of talented New York dancers/ teachers who, empowered by their craft, encourage young children of color to get involved in ballet. Thereby creating a warm and welcoming base from which Black talent can grow. Micah’s portrait is the first part of this series.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
THE COWGIRL, 6min., USA Directed by Armando Hernandez A cowboy at a bar about to order his very last drink at closing time meets his unexpected match: a cowgirl waitress who gives him the check (and a whole lot more).
THERAPY TIES, 30min., USA Directed by Christine Evette Giles The effects of Wanda’s unresolved childhood trauma forces a tsunami of events to take place in the her family. This leaves her husband, Malcolm, as the primary caretaker of two children, one of which has a disability. Traditional and nontraditional therapy becomes the epicenter of their daily life.
I’M NOT A ROBOT, 20min., Netherlands Directed by Victoria Warmerdam After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara becomes obsessed with a disturbing question: could she be a robot?
AN UNDOING, 10min., USA Directed by Lyall F. Harris In this 9-minute and 55-second experimental film, viewers are taken on a journey of “undoing” as the film’s author-protagonist unstitches her way to healing and catharsis, one stitch at a time, after the end of an abusive 20-year marriage. The subject: their wedding garments.
GIEROGI APPA, 16min., USA Directed by Yeonwoo Kim The meaning of “Gireogi Appa” is a South Korean term that refers to a man who works in Korea while his wife and children stay in an English-speaking country such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand for the sake of their children’s education. This video is about the documentary of the Gireogi Appa, which is my dad and shows the relationship between me and my dad.
FLY AWAY, FROGGY BOY, 8min., Canada Directed by Mia Lobo Fly Detective Francis McFly loses his partner to the infamous ‘Croaks’, a frog gang at the centre of his most recent investigation. Stricken by grief, he decides to get revenge, and go head to head with their ravenous leader, The Frogfather.
Fly Away, Froggy Boy was my final year thesis film. Everyone in their final year at my animation program was required to pitch a film idea, present it to our final year classmates, and the film ideas were chosen based on popular vote. The idea came from a joke between me and my partner (the co-creator, foley artist and voice of McFly), quite literally “Imagine if you pitched a film about a fly getting revenge on frogs”. I decided to pitch it to my class to see if anyone would be drawn to the idea as much as we were. We ended up one of the four films chosen to be made that year! People really love the idea.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was a great feedback video!I found it really interesting to see what aspects of the film jump out at people. The whole project is a lot less surprising and fresh for me because I worked on it for so long. Being able to hear people talk about the specific elements of the film that they found really unique, fresh and fun, reminds me of how great the project is, and how I felt the exact same way during the process.
DARK ROOM, 11min., USA Directed by Rogelio Robles After losing everything, a man slowly and painfully loses his mind right before your eyes. Becoming the serial killer he was destined to be.
It was something that I felt I needed to make. Everyone deals with loss and depression differently. I wanted to get this out there and show my perspective on what it would look like for someone to slowly lose their mind.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s awesome to get multiple viewpoints and interpretations of the film. Sometimes I hear something I didn’t quite think about before and I’m like wow that was actually awesome!
Festival Reviews 