kNOwBOX dance Film Festival 2024
Official Selection Film Spotlight
Historiae Vivae
Historiae Vivae / Korea Premier / Poland / 18:00
Drawing from various forms of expression, from line drawing through collage, patchwork, and cartoons, "Historiae vivae" revives the unique atmosphere of silent cinema. It is permeated with the warmth exuded by body language, yet simultaneously surreal due to its black-and-white tonality—these are the "splinters of everyday life" that allow us to embark on a journey through time.
This journey takes us back to the origins of cinema, captivating us with the use of historical filmmaking methods, stylish frames, and the characteristic text boards seen in black-and-white films. Live music performed by a pianist adds another layer, reminiscent of the old cinema where live improvisation accompanied the displayed scenes.
"Historiae vivae" is also a journey into the second half of the 20th century, evident in the graceful references to fashion, social customs, and popular ballroom dances. The patina of the past, visible in both form and content, causes us to watch these "living stories" from a distance, as if in detachment. Yet, at the same time, we are aware that they could have occurred in the past, present, or future. We watch with attention, a desire to capture the quickly passing moment, with amusement at the comedic situations, and with tenderness for human quirks.
The essence of silent cinema lay in the use of gesture and facial expressions as means of expression. "Historiae vivae" draws from this source, narrating ordinary things in a light and playful manner, transforming them into something extraordinary through the magic of the silver screen.
Our theme this year is "REFLECTIONS: a poetic exploration of human emotion, self-discovery, and cinematic nostalgia." How do you think your film relates to this theme?
"Historiae Vivae' reflects on these topics directly, as the theme of "past" was a direct inspiration of this film, created for the 50th anniversary of the Polish Dance Theatre.
What do you hope to communicate with our audience through your work?
History keeps repeating itself.
Iwona Pasińska is a choreographer, movement dramatist, theatre theorist, artistic director and co-founder of the Movements Factory Foundation. In 1997 Pasińska became the principal dancer of the Polish Dance Theatre (PTT) – Poznań Ballet. Since 2010 she has been working as an independent choreographer. She holds a MA in theatre theory from the A. Mickiewicz University in Poznań, where she also did her PhD. Since 2016 she is the Director of the Polish Dance Theatre.
Script and direction: Iwona Pasińska
Music and Performance: Krzysztof Dys
Soundtrack Mastering: Michał Garstecki Free Fly Music
Cinematography: Marek Grabowski
Camera Assistant: Michał Leśniewski
Post-production/VFX/Color Correction: Felix Mirosław Mamczur
Set Design and Costumes: Andrzej Grabowski
Makeup: Adriana Cygankiewicz
Assistant Costume Designer: Olga Gąsior
Typography: Piotr Zdanowicz
Production Coordination: Małgorzata Mikołajczak
Technical Team: Dariusz Szych, Dominik Dudek, Krzysztof Ludwiczak, Zuzanna Majewska
Performed and Contributed by:
Artists-Dancers from the Polish Dance Theatre: Evelyn Blue, Kacper Bożek, Momoko Den, Bartosz Dopytalski, Julia Hałka, Patryk Jarczok, Jerzy Kaźmierczak, Zbigniew Kocięba, Mateusz Krzysiak, Katarzyna Kulmińska, Dominik Kupka, Daniel Michna, Jinwoo Namkung, Katarzyna Rzetelska, Sandra Szatan, Zofia Tomczyk, Emily Wong-Adryańczyk
In the role of the tap dancer: Dominik Dudek and the tap dancer's assistant: Michał Beszczyński, and the dog Spiner.
Production: Polish Dance Theatre 2023
Festival Screening and Awards
Awards
SHORT to the Point, Bucharest, Romania, March 14, 2024 - Award Winner - BEST DANCE/MUSICAL
Art Film Awards, Skopje, Macedonia, March 22, 2024 - Honorable Mention
Official selections and screenings:
InShadow LisbonScreenDance Festival, Lisboa, Portugal, November 15 – December 15, 2024 - Screening
Historiae Vivae - Kino Tańca Online - Warsaw, Poland + online, January 18th -21st, 2024 - Screening
RIFF - FESTIVAL - NORWAY, Eina, Norway, May 31 – June 2, 2024 - Official Selection
DANCINEMA, Vancouver, Canada, July 4, 2024 - Official Selection
Short Waves Festival "Czas Letni", Poznań, Poland, July 13, 2024 - Official Selection
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