Film still: Luca Truffarelli
Is there balm in Gilead?
Loss, grief, despair and a collective call for hope and transformation...
Set in the landscapes of western Ireland, "Is there Balm in Gilead?" takes inspiration from ethno-cultural myths and writings centered on the raven. Featuring iconic singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen's Dance Me to the End of Love in a new recording sung by one of Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singers, Mary Coughlan, 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.
FESTIVAL SCREENINGS:
LEEDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 9 2023 8PM
Screendance Screening
Venue: Trinity Everyman Leeds
Tickets £8/6 | BUY TICKETS >>
SAN FRANCISCO DANCE FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 6th 2023 6PM
Screedance 1: 10 under 10
Venue: ODC Theater
$15 General Admission | BUY TICKETS >>
New Jersey, USA
OCTOBER 5th 2023 7pm
Grounds for Sculpture
$15 General Admission | BUY TICKETS>>
CANNES WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
August 2023
Best Dance Award Winner
WORLDFEST HOUSTON, USA
SILVER REMI WINNER
April 25 - 30 2023
OZ INDIE FILM FESTIVAL, Melbourne, Australia
MARCH 25th 2023
COVENT GARDEN FILM FESTIVAL, LONDON
JANUARY 27th 2023 3PM
The Garden Cinema, 39-41 Parker St, London WC2B 5EF
DANCE CAMERA WEST, LOS ANGELES, USA
JANUARY 20th 2023 7PM
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Supported by CULTURE IRELAND
JUSTINE DOSWELL - IMDT Associate Artist Sharing
OCTOBER 28th 2022 6PM
Project Arts Centre, No.39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
JOHN SCOTT'S DANCER FROM THE DANCE, Festival of Irish Choreography
JULY 11th 2022 6:30PM
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