Projects in genres: Dance

Synopsis

Monotone centres around the concept of personifying a stereo speaker. The story chronicles the speaker's quest to find acceptance in a surreal world set against an intriguingly colourful backdrop. Can he find his soulmate amidst the chaotic and cut-throat musical world? Or will he face rejection at every turn in a world in which everybody is marching to a different beat? Monotone is a story of love and identity which tackles broader issues of taste, subcultures and a desire for acceptance in a world in which a sense of community is being replaced by a greater focus upon the individual. Yet it does so in a fashion that is accessible to those of all ages and backgrounds.

Synopsis

We went down, we went down (how far who knows).

Synopsis

With a spirit full of music and heart aching to love, a young woman finds enchantment amongst the tarnished glitter of a seaside town. Charlie can't help dreaming. In her head, she has a life filled with sunshine and song. The truth - a seaside summer job at a crazy golf course - is dreary and grey in comparison. Then there's a boy, Jake, a sculptor, crafting Charlie's castles in the air from the sand on the beach. But will she take a chance, take one little step, and open herself up to love? Filmed in Great Yarmouth, home of sun, sea and sand sculpting, One Little Step is a magical musical to melt your heart.

Synopsis

When British band The Fury announced their first US tour, it seemed as if nothing could stop them. A nation had fallen in love with their high-octane, break-neck, harmony infused brand of sky scraping rock'n'roll. Led by the enigmatic Scott Fury, the world was at their feet. But as quickly as they'd risen, they fell. Scott broke up the band, and then disappeared. Many claimed he was dead. Jessica Jones is hoping he's not. A struggling wannabe music journalist, she's had several years of frustration and rejection trying to break into the industry. Just when she's on the verge of giving up, she's offered a writers position with one proviso - Get an interview with Scott Fury. Jessica must track down Scott, find out where he's been for the last ten years, get the interview that will kick start her career, and come to terms with a new set of songs that will change both their lives for ever.

Synopsis

Six couples meet in a restaurant. During their meals, the couples begin to break up. They reflect on better times and unrealised dreams but, by the next morning, only six abandoned lovers remain. The film is sung throughout with each couple formed of a singer and a silent actor. The music is by the celebrated Renaissance Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi.

Synopsis

Usti Opre travels across Central and Eastern Europe showing the inventiveness and stylistic range of Roma musical traditions. With shifting rhythms, Usti Opre travels from Budapest to Serbia. From city to village, concert hall to café – the film challenges our ideas about 'gypsy' culture and rewards us with a rich and engaging musical panorama. Along with 11 accompanists, three musicians form the spiritual and musical core of the film. It is through their musical ideas and cultural backgrounds that the structural cloth of Usti Opre is woven together. Conversations between musicians and amongst friends appear in counterpoint to the music. The intimacy that surrounds what we are hearing broadens our understanding of music and artist.

Synopsis

Zohra is a coming of age short film about family independence and growing up. Based on a real event – in 1960 it follows the an 18 year girl, Zohra, from Karachi to London. Under pressure from her brothers, looking for “a better life at her Majesty’s invitation” Zohra arrives in Britain. She soon realises the chasm of culture between and the England and the rest of the world and how it can be bridged. The film is based on the true experiences of young settler, Zohra Naseem Akhtar Bem, in sixties London who was a leading figure for race relations in the seventies.

Synopsis

Natalie and Adam sing their love for one another. After work they meet a mysterious woman. She gives them a special candle and then disappears. They make their way home and then make love. Next morning tired and late, they decide to run to work, when a drunk driver kills Adam. Months later, Natalie (now pregnant) has a remembrance dinner and from a the special candle comes a shadow of the dead man. The shadow follows her around and tries to get her attention, but is unable to until it lies beside her in bed. She reaches out and thinks she feels its presence. As soon as this happens, the candle goes out and the shadow disappears. All she wishes is for her husband to be back with her again. A little time later, Natalie gives birth to a boy who is her late husband reborn. And so she gets her wish.

Synopsis

A Documentary on Women’s experience of Punk. The present media interest in the 70’s is a pre punk; US dominated vision of the era. The UK experience was of a decadent hippie movement and the apolitical skinhead movement being swept aside by punk. This programme reassesses from a punk women’s perspective, women’s role in this dynamic movement that irreversibly changed the face of society, politics art and music. Director Zillah Minx – Lead singer with punk band rubella ballet since 1976.

Synopsis

At the beginning of the last century, Romanian peasants discovered the solemn music of the military bands when they went into the cities. They were so impressed by these that they wanted to have brass bands in their villages as well. With the arrival of the communists, these popular country marching brass bands were invited to participate at official events. The regime confiscated their land, built immense industrial complexes and many of the farm-workers became factory workers. The brass bands then became a symbol of the people’s well-being and the brotherhood between the farm and factory workers. With the fall of the Communist regime, many factories closed down.

Synopsis

A pianist's art - and life - fall out of balance. Memory, trauma and creativity. Triple-flashback visual poem to music, without dialogue.

Synopsis

Busker is a lighthearted story of two street performers who tussle to keep the attention of an audience. It was filmed on 35mm with French actor Dominique Pinon in the lead, and runs 6 minutes. The story is told entirely without dialogue.