Film still: Luca Truffarelli
Is there balm in Gilead?
Grief, loss, despair and a collective call for hope and transformation. Created by Justine Doswell and Luca Truffarelli in collaboration with dance artists Salma Ataya, Justine Cooper, Millie Daniel-Dempsey, Oran Leong and Emily Kilkenny Roddy, "Is there balm in Gilead?" is a short dance film set in the west of Ireland that takes inspiration from ethno-cultural myths and writings centred on the raven. Featuring iconic singer-songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen's Dance Me to the End of Love in a new recording sung by Mary Coughlan, one of Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singers, the film reflects on the paradoxical nature of life and our longing for redemption.
Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Justine Doswell. Commissioned by Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Dancer From the Dance - Festival of Irish Choreography 2022, Is there Balm in Gilead premiered at the Irish Film Institute, presented by the Irish Film Institute and Irish Modern Dance Theatre, John Scott's Dancer from the Dance - IRISH FOCUS.
SCREENINGS:
MARCH 25th 2023
Oz Indie Film Festival, Melbourne, Australia
JANUARY 27th 2023 3PM
COVENT GARDEN FILM FESTIVAL, LONDON
The Garden Cinema, 39-41 Parker St, London WC2B 5EF
JANUARY 20th 2023 7PM
DANCE CAMERA WEST, LOS ANGELES
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Supported by CULTURE IRELAND
OCTOBER 28th 2022 6PM
JUSTINE DOSWELL - IMDT Associate Artist Sharing
Project Arts Centre, No.39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
JULY 11th 2022 6:30PM
JOHN SCOTT'S DANCER FROM THE DANCE, Festival of Irish Choreography
Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
CREDITS
Concept JUSTINE DOSWELL
Directed by LUCA TRUFFARELLI and JUSTINE DOSWELL
Choreography by JUSTINE DOSWELL in collaboration with SALMA ATAYA, JUSTINE COOPER, MILLIE DANIEL-DEMPSEY, ORAN LEONG, EMILY KILKENNY RODDY and LUCA TRUFFARELLI
Cast SALMA ATAYA, JUSTINE COOPER, MILLIE DANIEL-DEMPSEY, ORAN LEONG, EMILY KILKENNY RODDY and FIACHRA from Raven Haven
Director of Photography LUCA TRUFFARELLI
Drone pilot and camera operator KRISTIAN MANTALVANOS
Editor FERNANDO DE JUAN
Colourist MICHAEL HIGGINS
Costumes JUSTINE DOSWELL
Filmed on location at Creagh House, Co. Mayo
Preliminary research at Shawbrook and Dance Ireland
Produced by JUSTINE DOSWELL
“DANCE ME TO THE END OF LOVE” Words and Music by LEONARD COHEN. Published by SONY/ATV SONGS LLC
Vocals MARY COUGHLAN
Piano BRIAN CONNOR
Fiddle and Backing Vocals AOIFE KELLY
Button Accordion ROZ MCVEIGH
Drums CONOR MURRAY
Musical Director and Bass BRIAN HOGAN
Recorded and mixed by ANTHONY GIBNEY at AUDIOLAND STUDIO
Mastered by LANCE HOGAN