Behind Barres is an Experimental Dance Film Written Directed by Sophia Bender. The film follows the intriguing journey of a fragile young dancer’s battle to overcome injury after being cast as the lead role in her graduating performance.
This ultimately leads her to the struggles she must face in order to succeed in the gruelling world of ballet.
Behind Barres uses the genre of dance to flow in and out of the the real world in juxtaposition with a grey concrete room which represents her inner psyche.
Ultimately this film follows the psychological journey dancers face due to the pressure of injury.
Sophia Bender is an Australian Dance Film Maker. Leaving Tasmania at the age of 16, Sophia moved to Sydney to pursue her passion for dance, studying full time ballet for two years at The McDonald College.
Then studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) for three years where she completed an Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance).
Sophia is currently in her graduating year at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television.
Her previous film I’m Not Hearing You was accepted into North Hollywood Cinfest 2017, (Nominated for Best Student Film), Newport Beach Film Festival 2017 and Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival 2017.
https://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/event/im-not-hearing-you/
David is a Melbourne based Cinematographer who has captured images for Channel 31, Beyond Blue, The Ripple Effect and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. David is currently in his third year at the Victorian College of the Arts.
David’s Cinematography for I’m Not Hearing You and Dom Dominik received an award of recognition at the Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival.
As part of this final year he will be shooting two fellow student’s projects including Sophia’s Graduating film; Behind Barres and continuing to develop and experiment with his personal style behind the camera.
Tomas Parrish is currently a student at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) studying Music Theatre. He was previously a student at the University of Sydney (USYD) and Sydney Conservatorium where he began studies in Music Composition, Music Theory, as well as Performance Studies.
He has previously collaborated with Sophia Bender to create scores for some of her Dance Films during her time at the VCA, as well as compositions he made whilst at USYD and the Conservatorium, where his major focus was composition for voices.
His pursuits include performance on the stage in both Theatre and Music Theatre, as well as creating Theatre itself and composing in a variety of ways, including film, choral settings, ballet, theatre and orchestral settings.
To bring our vision to life we need your help! To add to our own saved funds for Behind Barres we need to raise an additional $7,000.
These cost will go towards:
Production Design: $3000
Camera and Lighting: $2000
Sound Department: $1000
Costume and Make up: $500
Festival Entries: $500
While studying at the McDonald College and WAAPA I personally suffered through many injuries which ultimately led me to discover my passion for Dance Filmmaking as I would use this medium as a creative outlet.
Unfortunately, injury is an all too common story for so many dancers and this is ultimately what inspired me to write this story.
This is a film that I would love young dancers to see. Every day dancers all over the world struggle through injury and the psychological impact this has on their lives and identity.
I would love to get this film out into the world and help show young dancers that they are not alone!
If you are interested or passionate about our film, we would be so grateful for you to become a part of our project and pledge to Behind Barres!
Thank you so much!
Behind Barres xxx