Bhairava (2018)

 
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Distribution/sales: Mouvement Perpétuel

Distribution/sales: Mouvement Perpétuel

“Bhairava” evokes facets of Shiva, the Lord of Dance, as both the destroyer of evil and the guardian of time. He is fierce and drives terrible deeds, but he is also the Divine Protector and Supreme Guardian; his intention springs from pure compassion. In this work, carried by a strong and deeply evocative musical score and by the singular energy of the ancient site of Hampi, dancer and choreographer Shantala Shivalingappa embodies the presence and distinctive qualities of Bhairava. With her technical mastery and refined expressivity, she alternates between moments of precise symbolic gestures and more abstract body language surging from the powerful and omnipresent persona of Bhairava, creating a vivid incarnation of the deity.

“Bhairava” was directed and produced by veteran dance-filmmakers Marlene Millar & Philip Szporer (Mouvement Perpétuel, Montréal) with cinematography by Kes Tagney. This 14-minute site-specific dance-for-camera film was filmed on location in Anegundi and Hampi, India in February 2017.

The production was made possible with the generous support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Kishkinda Trust/Shama Pawar (Anegundi), and Danse Danse (Montréal).

 
 
"A powerful integration of the elements of performance, music and film, Bhairava is a captivating window into something both ancient and alive"- LIGHT MOVES FESTIVAL PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING OVERALL WORK, Limerick, Ireland (Nov 2017) CINEDANS Screendance Festival 2nd Prize, Amsterdam 2018 SHORT WAVES Festival, Dances with Camera Audience Award & Honourable Mention, Poland 2018 FIVER 2018 FINALIST, Spain "Bhairava" evokes facets of Shiva, the Lord of Dance, as both the destroyer of evil and the guardian of time. He is fierce and drives terrible deeds, but he is also the Divine Protector and Supreme Guardian; his intention springs from pure compassion. In this work, carried by a strong and deeply evocative musical score and by the singular energy of the ancient site of Hampi, dancer and choreographer Shantala Shivalingappa embodies the presence and distinctive qualities of Bhairava. With her technical mastery and refined expressivity, she alternates between moments of precise symbolic gestures and more abstract body language surging from the powerful and omnipresent persona of Bhairava, creating a vivid incarnation of the deity. "Bhairava" was directed and produced by veteran dance-filmmakers Marlene Millar & Philip Szporer (Mouvement Perpétuel, Montréal) with cinematography by Kes Tagney. This 14-minute site-specific dance-for-camera film was filmed on location in Anegundi and Hampi, India in February 2017. The production was made possible with the generous support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Kishkinda Trust/Shama Pawar (Anegundi), and Danse Danse (Montréal). Special thanks to Saria Chatila for editing the teaser.

Directed by: Marlene Millar & Philip Szporer
Choreographer, Dancer: Shantala Shivalingappa
Cinematography: Kes Tagney
Writers: Marlene Millar, Shantala Shivalingappa, Philip Szporer
Editor: Marlene Millar
Sound Editor/Mix: Dino Giancola
Musical Composition: Ramesh Jetty
Musicians: Ramesh Jetty, B.P.Haribabu, N.Ramakrishnan, Jayaram Kikkeri Suryanarayan
Producers: Marlene Millar & Philip Szporer
Production Company / Distributor: Mouvement Perpétuel

 
 

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A film of great elegance, centered on an exceptional performer. Shantala Shivalingappa… is able to compete inside the image and within this majestic landscape, and makes the landscape move with her. The cinematography is beautiful but never intrudes into the experience; the sound connects the dancer with the ground she dances on; the film skilfully weaves together its elements to create a beautiful portrait of a dancer.

/  CINEDANS, AMSTERDAM, MARCH 2018  /

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