|     |
|
| |
 Manifest Dance Film Festival 2024: A scintillating symphony of movement and film - Srinithiy Gurunath e-mail: vgsrinithiy@gmail.com August 8, 2024 The idyllic setting of Indo-French town, Pondicherry, recently witnessed a progressive articulation of artistic expression - the third edition of the Manifest Dance Film Festival. This three-day extravaganza, curated with meticulous effort by Ashavari and Abhyuday, ignited screens and stages with a captivating confluence of 53 dance films, 10 workshops, and 6 enthralling performances. The festival unfolded like a meticulously crafted palette, offering a tapestry of captivating movement juxtaposed against the captivating narratives of film. Day 1 served as an invitation to engage, with artist Mukul Kumar leading an initiative exploring movement's engagement in relation to discarded objects. This session resonated deeply with the local Pondicherry audience, setting the tone for a festival that promised both artistic exploration and community dialogue. Following a brief period of acclimation for the artists, the festival officially commenced with "Metamorphosis," a captivating contemporary performance by Papia and Surendra. This was followed by a meticulously curated selection of five films that set the stage for stimulating conversations. Each film, unique in its genre, left the audience awestruck by the boundless possibilities of the dance film medium.  A still from Pooja Radhakrishnan’s "Displaced" Day 2 dawned with Purvi's electrifying 'Power Flow Movement' workshop, followed by a series of concurrent film screenings and workshops. The day's program boasted a remarkable roster of luminaries leading workshops, such as Andrea Hackl's 'Interplay- Dance Masterclass,' Rekha Tandon's 'Dance as Yoga,' Abilash Ningappa's thought-provoking 'Embodying Critical Situations,' and K Hariharan's insightful 'Choreography for Melodrama in Indian Cinema.' As dusk settled, the stage illuminated, showcasing two contrasting yet equally captivating performances: the poetic beauty of 'A Blue Flower' by the Metamorphosis group and the emotionally charged 'Displaced' by Pooja Radhakrishnan. The day concluded with a captivating lecture-demonstration by the esteemed Navtej Johar, where he elucidated a snippet of Kshetrayya's composition, delighting the audience.  Navtej Johar The final day unfolded with workshops led by intuitive artists like Sugandh Lamba and Aakriti Dhiman. A stimulating talk by Kelly Hargraves and Gilda Stillback further enriched the intellectual discourse. The day culminated with a thoughtfully curated selection of films, followed by captivating performances - Grace Gitadelila and Sukanya's intellectually stimulating 'Her Waters Broke' and Andrea Hackl's powerful 'Dreamer.'  Dance film 'Kankantri', Suriname  Dance film 'Q5 the Quintessentials', Netherlands  Dance film 'Salted Earth', US  Dance film 'Topia', US The curatorial acumen of AuroApaar was evident in the festival's stellar lineup. The likings of films are highly subjective and non-comparative. The ones that swayed its way into thought provocative discussions include Kahu, Elements, Until, Two to Tango, What's next?, Walks with me, The ongoing process of trying to make sense, Kankantri, Q5 the Quintessentials and Kata. The Manifest Dance Film Festival 2024 stands as a testament to the burgeoning power of this artistic medium. It pushes the boundaries of dance communication, providing a much needed platform for innovative artists and fostering creative partnerships. With its commitment to artistic expression and its exploration of cinema's potential to elevate the human form, the festival promises to leave a lasting impact on the global cultural landscape.  Dance film 'Layers'  Dance film 'Impossible Image', France The journey, however, does not end here. The festival seamlessly transitions into the 'Filmmaker's Week,' an immersive experience designed to foster collaboration between choreographers and filmmakers. This initiative includes a series of workshops, talks, and performances, offering a fertile ground for artistic exploration and the birth of new cinematic dance narratives. For further details about the festival and the organization, please visit: auroapaar.org  Srinithiy is a dancer-architect and festival volunteer. |
