Documentaries

How She Moves follows the spirited Indu Mitha, a 90-year-old dance teacher, as she prepares for her final dance performance. A minority in both religion and profession, Indu has been teaching the classical Bharatanatyam dance form in Pakistan for sixty years. Though traditionally associated with stories of Hindu deities, under her creative direction, the form has been given a secular and feminist flavor in Pakistan. As two women filmmakers, we were allowed rare access into an otherwise unseen world of women and dance in Pakistan. Through an exploration of the colorful artistry of Indu and her students, we glean insight into culture, identity, and freedom of expression in a country where extremism, nationalism, and suspicion of dance as a legitimate art form push the classical dance towards extinction. Instagram: @howshemovesthedoc | @anyarazaofficial | @aishalinneaofficial

A Note from Indu Mitha:
The directors of this short documentary chose which of the students to follow, to explore “the lessons that have rippled down into the greater dance community, as a result of Indu Mitha’s teaching”. The film is not meant to exemplify my classical dance style, the innovative subcontinental classical music or themes that we use, nor showcase my work or the performances of my students.

All queries/discussion regarding myself, my dance style and innovations, and my dance students, may be addressed to me through my senior-most disciple, my daughter Tehreema, a dancer-choreographer for 33 years, at tehreema@tmdancecompany.org. 

 

Gwen Verdon was Broadway’s greatest actor/dancers. The team of Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse changed the world of dance on Broadway and film. Now the story of her life and career is spotlighted on a new documentary featuring an extraordinary collection of rare photographs and films documenting Verdon’s performances on Broadway, film and television.

Jann Gallois is a dancer and a choreographer. She is 29 and has as much energy as a bulldozer. Her body is her work tool. Always searching for the right movement, she twists, folds, stretches and breaks her body. But memories come back and this over-stressed body is reminded by ancient pains and wounds. How can this dancer live with her body while considering that she is “crossed by others and by herself” ?

Between this head which searches and a body so difficult to manage, Jann searches for her own balance.

Instagram: @novanima

Showcasing one of Toronto’s best dancers, “All It Gives” follows the story of Kosi Eze, a Nigerian immigrant who moved to Canada when she was 14. She was immediately hooked by the vibrant HipHop scene in Toronto and Mississauga. After meeting key members of the dance community; Marcelino “FrostFlow” DaCosta, Mariano “Glizzi” Abarca and Caroline “Lady C” Fraser, she was able to excel as a dancer in the Toronto community and beyond. From dancing in her high schools hallways, to winning international dance battles across the globe, Kosi’s story of growth is a glowing example of how HipHop has the power to inspire, uplift and support individuals, while building flourishing, diverse, and essential communities.

Talia Woodland: Winner of 2019 Women in Film Award/Scholarship from Humber College, Member of Borealis Soul. All It Gives subjects: Kosi, Lady C, Frost and Glizzi, have FAR too many awards, battle wins, and achievements to list. Please show your support by following them online.
Instagram: @taliawo @allitgives @kce__ @carolineladyc @remyronin @glizzi_dance