Constraining Movement

Motion presents itself in many forms, one of which, the purest, is dancing. In this short film, I analyze what happens when, instead to giving it space and freedom, we constrain movement. The first short sequence shows two entities: a negative force who tries to capture an active force, a personification of movement and dance. Once captured, the active force is limited to a confined reality, where the third dimension is subtracted from the equation. Dance now has only two dimensions to express its true nature, and it is on this plane that we see tension between the two forces. Like yin and yang, the two combine to create a complete form, represented through their final intimate embrace. The short sequence ends in the only possible way. Movement breaks the plane of the third dimension, and, being free, it can now express itself. Both entities are transformed into creative beings, and they dance, free from constraints.

I decided to direct this short movie not relying solely on my vision, but also on the creativity of multiple artists at Duke University. Combining the music of Lasia Lo and the dancing and choreography of Aurelia Fava and Ozi Noms, both members of the student dance group Defining Movement, or DefMo, I was able to bring this community together in a short film showcasing our different art forms.

Tommaso Babucci