About

In Her Hands (2019) – Ballet Shorts / Pennefather Films

Inspired by the life and work of Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin, In Her Hands reflects on the relationship between the two French sculptors. It is a glimpse into the mind and heart of a woman challenged by the fragility of her own psyche. Set in Paris 1892, Camille, played by Russian Ballerina Natalia Osipova (The Royal Ballet) is distracted and struggles to work as memories of their past swirl around her tormented mind, haunting her. She dismisses her model and slips into an abstract reverie, imagining herself as one of her sculptures dancing passionately with her lover (Matthew Ball – The Royal Ballet). Choreography by Valentino Zucchetti (The Royal Ballet) sensitively echoes shapes and motifs used by the artists to explore the many facets of their doomed relationship.

Accolades:

San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2019 – Official Selection

Utah Dance Film Festival 2020 – Official Selection / 2nd Place Outstanding Director / 2nd Place Outstanding Costume Design

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10415196/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

To watch In Her Hands CLICK HERE

Esprit du Jardin (2019)

A spirit emerges from icy cold water to explore the beautiful snow covered garden she finds herself trapped within. We follow her as she dances through the changing seasons, summoning the forces of nature until she finally returns to the granite basin from which she arose.

Set to the haunting score ‘Speke’ by Michael Price, and with evocative choreography by Kristen McNally (The Royal Ballet) the Spirit, played by Ashley Dean (The Royal Ballet) moves dreamily to the chill of winter, serenity of spring, warmth of summer and misty dampness of autumn – experiencing them in all their diverse glory.

Image Credits: Julie Dene

Accolades:

Carmarthen Bay Film Festival 2020 – Official Selection

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10016706/?ref_=nm_knf_t1

To watch Esprit du Jardin CLICK HERE

The Sun is God (2018)

The Sun is God is a story of love, loss and remembrance told through the poetic use of classical ballet. Francesca Hayward (The Royal Ballet) plays a woman who imagines her betrothed (Matthew Ball – The Royal Ballet) has returned from the horrors of The Great War in France. Set in and around the spectacular Petworth House in West Sussex, a painting by the great English Romanticist landscape painter JMW Turner ‘The Lake, Petworth, Sunset’ triggers memories of moments the couple have shared together, before the mist of the landscape slowly envelops Matthew and Francesca is left alone with only memories of their love.

With stirring choreography by Valentino Zucchetti (The Royal Ballet), the story is set to the moving masterpiece that is The 2^nd Movement of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Its title is taken from the dying words of the great artist, JMW Turner who’s life long quest was to depict the ephemeral nature of light on canvas. 2018 also marks 100 years since the end of the First World War and The Sun is God reminds us of the pain of loss felt by so many men and women of that generation, and the beauty of the land which so many gave their lives to protect for generations to come.

Image Credits: Alice Pennefather and Julie Dene

Accolades:

Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner 2018 – Official Selection

Choreoscope Dance Film Festival, Barcelona 2018 – Official Selection

Imperial War Museum Film Festival, London 2018 – Official Selection

Flatlands Film Festival 2018 – Official Selection / Audience Award

Arts Triangle Dance Film Festival 2018 – Official Selection / WINNER Best Cinematography

Outlet Dance Project 2018 – Official Selection

Rethink Dance Film Festival 2018 – Official Selection

Utah Dance Film Festival 2019 – Official Selection / WINNER Best Cinematography / 2nd Place Choreography for a Lens

Richmond Dance Festival 2019 – Official Selection

Jacksonville Dance-Film Festival 2019 – Official Selection / Audience Award

EnCore Dance on Film, Georgia USA 2019 – Official Selection

Portland Dance Film Festival 2019 – Official Selection

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7286928/

To watch The Sun is God CLICK HERE

Dreams of Giverny (2017)

Dreams of Giverny is a modern day ghost story told through the art of classical ballet. Starring Principal Dancer Sarah Lamb (The Royal Ballet) and with an original score with vocals by Mary-Jess (Downton Abbey, and winner of 民星唱翻天 The Chinese X-Factor) it is set in the gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny, France. This short tells the tale of a young woman who upon reflection at the beauty of Monet’s water lily pond, slips into a daydream where she finds herself wearing pointe shoes and able to dance exquisitely. During this reverie she encounters a ghost like girl who guides her through the gardens, encouraging her to express her joy at the wonder of such a place through dance. By the end of their journey we are left to ponder whether this was in fact a dream or a magical ghostly encounter?