Cultivate, 2022

‘Cultivate’ - two dancers ground themselves in soil and ritual as they dance a duet with the earth.

Drawing on the success of the 2021 dance film ‘And Breathe’ inspired by the newly introduced Clean Air Zone in Birmingham, ‘Cultivate’ responds to localised climate research about soil health focusing on soil toxic inheritance, farming practices and soil preservation.

Told through combining South Asian dance and film, ‘Cultivate' highlights the human interconnectivity of soil and celebrates soil ecosystems. It features two female dancers, filmed in high winds and warm temperatures for the time of year, grounding themselves in soil and ritual. The toxic and destructive farming process, the frantic urgency needed to sustain the environment and the intimate inter-webbing of roots that form connections in nature and humankind are inexorably enmeshed in this cinematic artwork.

This award winning film has toured film festivals internationally.

Photo credit - Jem Mccluskey

 
 

  • Director - Sima Gonsai

    Movement Director - Karen Wood

    Producers - Pip Pipper, Sima Gonsai, Birmingham Dance Network

    Choreographers - Kesha Raithatha, Meera Patel

    Composer - Annie Mahtani

    Cinematographer and Editor - Daniel Alexander

    Drone Operator - Jem Mccluskey

    Camera Assist - Joe Potts

    Hair and Make-up - Anaya Vasudha

    Production Assistant - Callum Piper

    Marketing and Communications Holly Jones

    Distribution Holly Close

    Exec Producer - Sarah Fortescue - The Space

    Filmed at Attwell Farm Birmingham

  • The Space

    In collaboration with Birmingham Dance Network

    Supported by Coventry University, Centre for Dance Research, Grand Union - Growing Project and Flatpack Film Festival

  • Press and Crew Premier at Cop 27 Nov 2021 in association with Flatpack Projects.

    On general release receiving 11k views

    Winner Best Short Film at Experimental Dance and Music Film Festival 2023.

    Winner Best experimental film for London International Short Film Festival

    Screening with Q&A at Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience - Coventry University 28th June 2023

    Screening with Q&A at The Big Green Weekender - Midlands Art Centre 16th September 2023

    Selected for Light Moves Film Festival 9 – 11th November 2023

    Talks 2022-2023

    The Foundry Producers Programme – The Rep, Birmingham

    Sonia Sabri Apprenticeship Programme – Birmingham

    Mind the Gap – South East Dance

    Filming Performance Boot Camp – The Space

    Pitch Up - Severn Arts

    Evolve – DCD

    South Asian Dance, Critical Climate and Social Issues Round Table

    Screening at CREATE by Keneisha Dance - March 2024

    Dublin Culture Company March 2024,

    Rogue Dancer Festival, North Carolina April-May 2024

    LAYARAMBHA- Indonesia Bertutur Dance Film Program - August 2024