GLOAMING, 10min., Sweden
Directed by Alana da Silva
A winter dance duet between two souls moving in and out of each other’s worlds.

Get to know director Alana da Silva & choreography Flockworks Dance

1. What motivated you to make this film?

(Flock) We were in the midst of lockdown in 2020 and were really missing creating with other artists. We decided to reach out to Emilie and Sabine, two dancers we love, and create something via zoom. The process was all done long distance and yet was incredibly cathartic and meaningful to us and a real important tonic in that time. We were then thrilled to bring Alana onto the team to bring the duet to life via her beautiful film magic.

(Alana) I had been dabbling in dance film and trying to capture movement for the screen about a year before I met Flock. We clicked immediately which is important, and they are super talented. That, combined with getting to work with Emilie and Sabine was enough of a motivation for me. I'm constantly seeking out opportunities to create film centered around dance and movement so it was really a no brainer.

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

(Flock)About five months including a very spread out online rehearsal process, filming, and editing.

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

(Flock) Intimate. Wintry.

(Alana) Turbulent. Intimate.

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

(Flock) For us it was surprisingly smooth sailing and as the purpose of the film was to create around/through an obstacle (the pandemic) hitches in the plan were just part of the process.

(Alana) The house itself was about 8 hours away by car. We had looked for a location that Flock had wished for in one of our meetings, a glass house. I googled "glass house Sweden" and found this place, owned by Buster Delin from Delin Arkitektkontor. He immediately offered it to us as a location, but it was challenging to get to. The floor was also very hard and was taxing on our dancer's bodies, but we filmed for two days and got everything we needed. Apart from that, the collaboration was seamless. Emilie helped me edit some of the more challenging sequences and we built the semblance of a story together, which was a lot of fun.

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

(Flock) It was so lovely to hear that people really understood and got the feeling we were hoping for in our creation.

(Alana) I've never had that kind of immediate and personal feedback from an audience, so it was really moving actually! I loved how thoughtful their responses were and felt proud of what we had made. They were very generous as well, which I thought was kind.

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

(Flock) Film has always been a very big part of our choreographic process and is something we are passionate about exploring further. So much magic is possible in the connection of these two art forms and we feel there is still so much to be explored.

(Alana) I have been making films for about 20 years but it wasn't until during the pandemic that I started to make dance films. I was inspired by the dances at the Gothenburg Opera Dance Company who perform with such intensity and intention that I immediately felt I needed to combine the two art forms.

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

(Flock) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings

(Alana) Interstellar

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

(Alana) I don't have any specific comments about this.

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

(Alana) I assume you mean the Film Freeway platform? I thought it was great!

10. What is your favorite meal?

(Alana) A meal that's shared with good company.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

(Flock) We will continue to create new choreography for film and stage and are excited to continue to share dance with the world in new ways.

(Alana) I have a script that I am working on for a new project involving dance and storytelling which I am hoping to create next year.