Documentaries
OCTOBER 2ND, 12:01AM – OCTOBER 11TH, 11:59PMHere are 10 incredible documentaries from Pakistan, Iran, United States, Germany, France, and Canada. These films span subjects and various approaches to the art of the documentary with style, maturity, and care. Once you’ve purchased your ticket you’ll receive a link to screen the films. The films will become available to watch at 12:01 am Pacific Time on October 2nd and viewing will close at 11:59 pm Pacific Time on October 11th.
Ayree Maan is a short but complete classical Bharatanatyam style sequence provided by Indu Mitha. Ayree Maan” (O Mother Mine) Classical Bharatanatyam Choreography: Indu Mitha and Tehreema Mitha Dancer: Tehreema Mitha Music: Raag Bheen Plaasi; Teen Taal (16 beats) Musicians: Seema (vocals) Akhlaque Hussain (sitar) Dilawar Hussain (tabla) Mohammad Rafiq (tanpura) Videography: Aabvaan Barron”
DOCU-SHORT | Pakistan
How She Moves
Directed by Anya Raza & Aisha Linnea Akhtar
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.
MINI-DOC | United States
Black Stains
Directed by Tiffany Rhynard
Instagram: @sistersunitepro
FEATURE | Germany, Finland, Netherlands
touched
Directed by Jukka Rajala-Granstubb & Marc Wagenbach
Instagram: @marc_wagenbach
FEATURE | United States
Merely Marvelous: The Dancing Genius of Gwen Verdon
Directed by Chris Johnson & Grammy Award Winner Ken Bloom
FEATURE | Canada
According to Movement, a story in ten chapters
Directed by Béatriz Mediavilla
DOCU-SHORT | France
Through Jann
Directed by Claire Juge
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
DOCU-SHORT | Canada
All It Gives
Directed by Talia Woodland
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__ @
FEATURE | Iran
Gracefully
Directed by Arash Es’haghi
Winner of Best Director at Yamagata Documentary FF 2019 Official Selection at New Orleans FF 2019 Official Selection at Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival in Utah 2019 Official Selection at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2020
Instagram: @VeneraFilms