Profile: Giulietta Verdon-Roe

Filmmaker Giulietta discusses the making of her film about an unusual interpretation of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.

Why did you pick this subject for Fresh?

I spent last year exploring movement and dance through film. This is one of three films that I produced and challenges what we may consider to be dance.

...it’s okay to be your own worst critic.

What motivated you to make this film?

The two dancers in this film, Jordan Lennie and Joseph Mercier, were willing to push their bodies and capabilities within dance to the absolute limit, simultaneously they were also in turn questioning what we as an audience may consider to be dance. This I found intriguing; anyone who is willing to push boundaries and to raise questions, will always be worth following.

The piece was also a one-off performance that took place on the 100th Birthday of Igor Stravinsky’s original Rite of Spring performance that took place in Paris and received such intense and violent reactions. This highly violent performance later became termed by the Guardian Newspaper as one of the most controversial dance pieces of 2013.

What equipment did you use to shoot the film?

Canon C300 with 24-70 L series Canon lens. One shotgun Rode Mic and a Seinnheiser Radio Mic Kit for the interviews.

Tell us about post-production:

I edited the film in Premiere Pro. I also graded the film myself, as well as cutting and grading the sound. This was a one-man shoot, from research, shooting and post, nobody else was involved.

Who/what inspires you?

I have been a documentary photographer for ten years and I am only really just moving into moving image. My inspiration comes from a wide range of subjects that of course include film and photography, but I also find inspiration in more everyday observances that raise questions within social and environmental issues.

What are your plans for the future?

To keep balancing personal projects with commercial work as much as possible, I always aim to produce one major project of my own each year. I will continue to work both in still and moving images.