Through playful movement and sculpture, choreographer and director Sulian Rios animates the instant closeness and connection felt between strangers. Exploring the feeling of meeting someone new and recognizing an immediate sense of closeness, director and choreographer Sulian Rios translates human connection into movement for short film La Chamade. Shot in Montreuil’s La Petite Foret Urbaine in France, La Chamade questions the bond that can be created between comradeship and love, as Rios and dancer Adrien Dantou perform the malleable nature of their relationship.

“I wanted to do something in continuity of Les Presques: a duo, lightweight sculptures in one shape but different sizes, a simple set up, and identity as a subject. I enjoyed playing with the fact that Adrien and I somehow look alike, physically. On the other hand, what exists and lives within us seems to be quite different.”

A continuation in mood from his previous film Les Presques, Rios integrates playful choreography and lightweight sculptures against Dutch pianist Daria van den Bercken’s interpretation of 'Sonata in F Minor K.519 Allegro assai' by Domenico Scarlatti. Playing on the visual similarities between himself and Dantou, and the differences that unfolded upon connecting more deeply, Rios animates his concept and this special sense of connection through paired choreography – working with cinematographer and regular collaborator Anne Gryckza to reveal details invisible to the eye.

Premiered on Nowness.

Director, Choreographer @sulianrios⁠
Performers @adriendantou @sulianrios⁠
Cinematographer @annegryczka⁠
Styling @Ceciliabaistrocchi⁠
Colorist @ana.cor.color⁠
Location @petiteforeturbaine