FR:AGILITY, 8min., Singapore
Directed by Amanda Tan
The film lenses the body and its form as sculpture; its undulating curves and slopes as landscape; and the skin we live in and shed as texture.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I was motivated by the desire to explore a dance film outside the confines of literal representations of movement. I wanted to make a film that withdraws from the constraints of a mere visual depiction of choreography on camera; looking at dance and movement as gestural markings instead.

I was also keen on exploring different visual textures. These textures were a means to transform the human form into a canvas, giving it new meaning and evoking different visceral sensations from the viewer.

The film envisioned was a collision between dance, lensing, and make-up artistry; blending different art forms to create a journey revealing the body in its new skin — one that is beautifully fragile yet undeniably agile.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

About 6 months start to finish, but not non-stop.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

FRAGILE/AGILE.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Translating the make-up and textures onto skin and having it be malleable enough to move with the dancer without falling apart was the biggest obstacle. We did material tests before the shoot to make sure our looks would withstand the heavy movement of the dancer on set.

However, some unexpected things happened on the day of shoot. For instance, it rained the night before, meaning the sand which we were applying to skin for one of the looks, had moistened from humidity and condensation, so it was extremely difficult to work with and get on the skin. We used headlamps to dry it and to heat up our very cold dancer, but this then caused it to overharden and crack. We pushed through and adapted the look and movement language to the situation, but yes this was one of the bigger creative obstacles.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was really awesome watching these reactions. To see people kind of take away things like vulnerability in the performance was really good to see. I am glad that evoked the intended sensation and emotion. It’s also interesting to be able to see and reflect on the reactions of people halfway around the world. Film really brings us together.

6. When did you realise that you wanted to make films?

I don’t think there was ever a eureka moment. I currently would describe myself as an artist before a filmmaker, and film as just one of my mediums. For me, making lensed work was always a natural inclination, it was a way to capture humanity and performance. It started with me dabbling with photography as a teenager and then deciding to add the fourth dimension of time to my practice as an undergrad. Film was a way to put something kinetic on the flat surface of a screen. That’s what enticed me to it.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

As in what film have a viewed repeatedly? I would say Fountain by Darren Aronofsky. It’s so visually extra, I just can’t help review it over and over.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I am actually really grateful for the interaction you guys have provided in this festival, the feedback, Q&A, etc has been a really great experience. I think one of the other things would be a way to reach online publications or platforms and have them look at the film. For example, for movement based work, getting eyeballs on NOWNESS or VIMEO would be great, but it’s often hard to get the attention of those platforms. Festivals could play a role in connecting filmmakers with sites such as these.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Always good! Been using it for years.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I literally cannot choose because I eat literally everything. Food is a means of understanding culture to me. But I do like uni a lot.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am currently working on a multi-screen installation for an upcoming exhibition. I will be manipulating live action to make this piece, using microscopic lensing, thermal heat cameras and some fun lighting techniques. So yeah, currently in pre-production for this! Still a long way to go.