CHECK OUT OUR DANCE FILMS

2M/SOLITUDES

2023 / 22:44 MINUTES / Long version

DANCE FILM

2M/Solitudes is a poetic cine-dance meditation, exploring internal states resulting from isolation and absence of others. Originally inspired by experiences related to the global pandemic, the film dives into the daily life of four female characters facing different challenges related to being alone and kept apart from others. Immersed in their own colourful, but lonely worlds, eventually, they find a way to transcend their solitude, overcome isolation, and reconnect in unexpected ways.

Imagined and produced by a team of exceptional creatives, the five scenes of the film evoke states of agitation, insecurity and melancoly counterbalanced by moments of hope, acceptance and resilience. Roger Sinha’s powerful choreographies and Damian Siqueiros’s exquisite visual universe are accompanied here by a soundtrack composed and performed by a trio of exceptional musicians, Of Sound, Mind and Body: Tim Brady on electric guitar, Helmut Lipsky on violin, and Shawn Mativetsky on Indian tabla and percussions. Each scene is introduced by a poem recited by invisible voices bearing witness of the intensity and the depth of the characters’ inner experiences.

As the film progresses, the four dancers eventually cross paths in a large white open space, a sign of transformation and new beginnings. They wear square skirt-like structures, attached to their waists, representing the socially defined shape of their personal spaces. Keeping the distance, but connecting symbolically, they spin and dance in their square skirts like modern dervishes reaching out and celebrating their renewed ability to co-exist.

For further information on this work, please visit: www.2msolitudes.com.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

SHARED BREATH

2023 / 07:51 MINUTES / Short version

CINE-DANSE

Shared Breath is the short version of the film 2M/Solitudes. The intention was to offer an alternative presentation format, thus, please note that the two versions are independent of each other.

Four dancers wear square skirt-like structures attached to their waists, symbolizing the socially defined shape of their personal spaces. The characters whirl tirelessly within the beautiful, but restrictive forms, such as modern-day dervishes, and add dynamic curves and flows to the rigid straight lines. Defying distance and absence of touch, striving for contact, they break free eventually, all within one shared breath.

The film is a soul-stirring reminder of our essential need for touch and connection. Created by an extraordinary artistic team, Shared Breath features Roger Sinha’s daring choreography, Damian Siqueiros exquisite visual universe, and original music composed and performed by Of Sound, Mind and Body, including Tim Brady on electric guitar, Helmut Lipsky on violin, and Shawn Mativetsky on Indian tabla and percussion.

For further information on this work, please visit: www.2msolitudes.com.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

International Screendance Festival – Official Selection (2023)
Ketchikan Dance Film Festival – Official Selection (2023)
Fuselage Dance Film Festival – Official Selection (2023)
Opine Dance Film Festival – Audience Choice Award (2024)
Braga International Video Dance Festival – Official Selection (2024)
Screendance Festival – Official Selection (2024)
EnCore Dance on Film Festival – Official Selection (2024)
Ciudad de Mexico International Film Festical – Best Art Video (2024)

ABOUT THE CREATORS

ROGER SINHA

Original concept & choreography

Roger Sinha is a choreographer, dancer, artistic director and founder of the company Sinha Danse, as well as one of the pioneers in the field of contemporary dance inspired by non-Western cultural practices in Canada. Throughout his more than 30 year career, he has created many distinct and original choreographies and received numerous recognitions and awards. In many ways, his personal story set the stage for his artistic work and defined his choreographic style for which he is recognized across Canada and beyond. Full biography here.

Damian Siqueiros

Director and art director

Multidisciplinary artist for impact Damian Siqueiros uses art to create positive narratives about the future that lead to healing social and ecological environments. It addresses social and ecological challenges in search of solutions through a synergistic approach. Siqueiros has 20 years of career and multidisciplinary practice: photography, expanded cinema, artistic direction and artistic education. He has exhibited internationally, notably at the Carrousel du Louvre, the Frost Museum, in Mexico, South Korea, Canada and New York. His website here.

CREDITS

ORIGINAL CONCEPT & CHOREOGRAPHY Roger Sinha
DIRECTOR & ART DIRECTOR Damian Siqueiros
DANCERS Amélia Lamanque, Olivia Jaen Flores, Emmanuelle Martin & Citlali Germé
PRODUCER & GM OF SINHA DANSE Mariya Moneva
CINEMATOGRAPHER Max Machado
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Helena Vallès Escolà
MUSIC COMPOSED AND PERFORMED BY Tim Brady, Helmut Lipsky & Shawn Mativetsky

FILM CREW
CAMERA OPERATOR Max Machado
ASSISTANT CAMERA François Côté-Lemay
STEADICAM OPERATOR Samuel Wilde Chénier
B-CAM OPERATOR Joel Guilbault
DRONE OPERATOR Martin Lemire
GAFFER Jacques Bechard
GRIP Marc Haddad
CAMERAMAN BTS Félix Simard
STYLING Damian Siqueiros
SKIRT DESIGNER Emily Rose
ORIGINAL CONCEPT – SKIRTS Roger Sinha
MAKE-UP ARTIST Ariane Préfontaine
SEAMSTRESS Faustine Bozec

POST-PRODUCTION
FILM EDITING Liliana Ortiz Casas
COLOURIST Max Machado

AUDIO – POEMS AND VOICES
POET, ENGLISH Damian Siqueiros
POET AND VOICE, HINDI Ambica Sharma
POET AND VOICE, FRENCH Mafane
POET, SPANISH Antolina Ortiz
VOICE, ENGLISH Peter Meltev
VOICE, SPANISH Irem Bekter
SOUND DESIGN Alex Lane
SOUND RECORDING Morris Apelbaum

SPECIAL THANKS TO
TEACHER AND CONSULTANT, TANGO Mireille Painchaud
TRAINING BARISTA Vassily Lissouba
SOCIAL WORKER CONSULTANT François Paquette
OWNER CAFE-RESTO CARMEN & FELIPE Pierre-Olivier Masse
TANGO SHOES PROVIDED BY Anne Béraud
TANGO POSTERS PROVIDED BY Studio Tango
CATERING AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT Olivier Mitchell Exumé and Cheffe T. Light

SHOOTING LOCATIONS
CABARET LION D’OR PROGRAMMATING MANAGER Michèle Pinard
BIODÔME RENTAL SERVICE MANAGER Dominic Laperrière-Marchessault
HOUSE – MOTHER’S SCENE HOUSE OWNER Antolina Ortiz
RESTAURANT BIBIKO OWNER AND MANAGER La Ly
PPS DANSE OFFICE AND STUDIO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Anne-Valérie Côté

CREATED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS’ DIGITAL NOW FUND
Special thanks to Sinha Danse’s funding partners Canada Arts Council, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec et Conseil des arts de Montréal. Their support was essential for the creation of the original 2M contemporary dance piece and the creation of the movie.

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