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Is There Balm in Gilead 2023 by Justine Doswell and Luca Truffarelli

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 >>

THE OUTLET PROJECT

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

 

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