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Closing Screening: Commissioned Artists' World Premieres
Shadowplay
Andy Liu, Iris Gao, Edro Gonzales (Vancouver, BC) EMERGING
World Premiere
Duration: 5:30
An office worker in white just clocked in, waiting for the next phone call, inputting data for new models, and going about her day, until she notices the shadow she casts isn't in sync with her movements. As she realizes the shadow isn't a part of her anymore, a game between the two begins to unfold. The worker shifts her focus from the mind-numbing daily routine to the consciousness of her surroundings, before she realizes that there's another part of her in red that goes against the rules set by the shadow, which she tries to awaken.
As the worker brings out her shape in red, the shadow also constructs a shape of its own with its shadow cast as light. When the red shape is finally realized, a clash between the worker and her shadow ensues, as there's only one goal in the worker's mind: To break out of this paradoxical loop of control once and for all.
Mixing visual, sound, and storytelling elements from different eras and regions, "Shadowplay" depicts a world filled with dysfunctional work culture through an unorthodox conflict, and seeks a hidden connection between the dominance of corporatism and the illusion of self-importance.
Director, Writer, Editor, Cinematographer, Sound Mixer & VFX Artist: Andy Liu
Performers & Choreographers: Iris Gao, Edro Gonzales
Music Composer: Chris Jassmann
Sound Operator: Ayesha Cheung
Assistant Director & BTS Photographer: Normey Liu
Poster Designer: Justine Dimou
We'd like to specially thank Cineworks Vancouver and VIVO Media Arts Centre for production and workshop support, Justin Yunhan Zhao for production support, Spectra Film and Video for film stock development, Nicki Doyle from Negative Space for film stock scan, Sophia Mai Wolfe and Nancy Lee 李南屏 for artistic consultation, Joshua Lam, Sarah Wong and Sasha Langford for workshop support and F-O-R-M family for bringing this project to life.
Co-commissioned by BC Movement Arts
F-O-R-M is based in so-called Vancouver, in what is colonially known as Canada, on the unceded and stolen traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. F-O-R-M continues to reflect on and bring attention to connection to bodies, land and movement through filmmaking, documentation and storytelling. We are grateful to share and witness these stories together while inspiring movement towards positive change, wherever you may be.