Nostalgia, longing, and reckoning, whether held lightly or earnestly, moves throughout the 8 films of Picks 1. We say hello and goodbye to our ways of life, our memories that orient us to who we think we are, and our thirst. Whether this thirst is for water or for the realization of the curves of peace, we can almost/decidedly feel the knowledge of it in our hands and feet as we answer the call of the music and surrender to the forever dance. Picks 1 shares films from France/Vietnam, Greece, India, USA, Canada, Austria, and The United Kingdom and runs ~1hr. 45min.

Genèse Urbaine / Urban Genesis (France, Vietnam)

Phuong is released from prison and returns to her home province. She finds Khang, her childhood sweetheart, but no longer recognizes her village. The elders have left, the factories have closed, and Khang has to go to Saigon where he has found a new job.

In the past 5 years, all the brickyards in Dong Thap province have closed, and Saigon is conjured up bristling with countless skyscrapers. Urban Genesis questions the place left to love when time passes faster than the clouds.

Ruins Within Ruins (Greece)

A group of dancers positions themselves between the ancient and modern ruins of the island of Crete, Greece. Drawing inspiration from its rich heritage, they craft a series of kinetic forms and patterns influenced by folk dances and Minoan frescoes. These installations, whether harmonising with or contrasting against the island’s culture, offer reflections on historical memory and the Cretan identity.

A State of Thirst (India)

Many in the Global South are living in a state of perpetual thirst. Violent fights sparked by water shortages are no longer “news”.

The human body and its most basic need is the subject of this minimalist vision of a water-scarce future.

The action in a State of Thirst centers on the climbing of a wooden pole by an artist trained in ‘Mallakhamb’, a body conditioning exercise practiced by Indian martial artists.

All of Us (United States)

Cyclical lyricism illuminates the collective experience of “alone, together” that occurred during prolonged COVID isolation in milkleaf’s newest experimental short, ALL OF US. Framed, disrupted, and propelled by improviser Corey Scott-Gilbert dancing with the powerful narration of the late and beloved Gus Solomons jr, this film features romantic partners, roommates, family members, and duets dancing “at home” amongst accumulating domestic objects. Highlighting movers across identities, ALL OF US offers a look into coexistence within a common screen space, transforming repetition into a parable of the human experience. The screendance was awarded an “Honorable Mention” for its promise by the Dance Films Association Production Grant.

Ce qui subsiste / What Remains (Canada)

During his daily picking, Bo has a moving encounter that reveals other existences to him.

A hybrid story between a narrative and dance short film questioning our relationship with the living.

Shake Stew - Lila (Austria)

In a surreal dance video, a dancer is melting into a landscape of palm trees, rocks and ocean waves.

Baiyt / Home (Canada, Israel)

Between the house and the street, Wiaam and Orian contemplate initiating a protest. They grapple with the decision of whether to leave or stay, questioning the significance of taking action versus remaining at home. Perhaps the real opposition lies in their own meeting, but can it truly exist at all?

Burn From The Inside (United Kingdom)

“Burn from the Inside” is not your typical narrative work. It delves into the exploration of music and its origins, examining why we have an innate desire to dance or move when we hear music, sound, or voices. It seeks to understand the essence of what triggers our movements and the emotional responses evoked by music.

If you are in need of financial support for tickets, please don't hesitate to reach out to portlanddancefilmfest@gmail.com.