THE CUBE / Screendance film
I started this project in 2018. I've studied dance for over a 10 years and I wanted to create a video piece that could help me understand myself and reconnect with my ballet past.
Through a mixture of intimate memories and common stereotypes, THE CUBE shows an internal struggle and a fear of loosing your true-self. Inspired by russian folkloric movements, it reflects the contemporary society locked in its fears and indolences.
The original idea included 2 characters, but while we were moving along with the project we changed the script and redefine the main idea.
Original storyboard.
For a costume design we decided to go with black colors, using a kind of a corset to emphasize the feeling of being trapped and a long skirt in order to point out the choreography.
For the neck accessory we were inspired by clown`s wear, and our stylist got this brilliant idea to fill it with black roses. All this as a metaphor of loosing your voice.
We shot everything in one day. It was nice weather in the morning, but in the afternoon it got really cold, so every time we had a pause, our dancer tried to keep her body warm with her coat and boots. She was really brave that day.
Backstage.
I dedicated this project to my grandma, who encouraged my rebel and curious spirit since I was a kid. There was no better place that going for the whole summer to her country house and listen to her wild stories.
Stills.
THE CUBE
It was really fun working on a music and sound design. The audio has so many details and effects, even recorded frases in russian.
We used a "fading away" shot for the end of the film with really strong musical notes to show that everything in our lives is transitory and moving on.
Choreographed and directed by: Marina Merkucheva
Performed by: Yoalli Sousa
Cinematography: Elías Martín del Campo
Stylist: Vistoria Álvarez
MUA: Viry Martell
Carpenter: Luis Bernal
Staff: Verónica Marquina
Editor: Ana Laura Calderón
Music & sound design: Jorge Martínez
Colorist: Rubén Castillo Piscina
Thank you for watching.
