"APATHY: a horror genre" (Short Film)

APATHY: A HORROR GENRE — THE STORY

‘APATHY: a horror genre’ is a haunting, confronting and provocative exploration of power, empathy and the seduction of going numb.

It's a dance collaboration between the artistic direction of Moana artists Jahra Wasasala and Ooshcon (CONJAH) and their collaborators, that is looking to become a short dance-horror film. The world of ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ is a dystopian limbo that holds five shape-shifting characters hostage/as a host.

This is a unique and unpredictable embodiment centres Street Styles movement methods, character narrative and multiple truths. ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ lives in-between physical theatre, a dance cypher and a thriller-film that platforms an eclectic cast of Aotearoa-based artists, voices and stories.

OUR COLLABORATIVE TEAM

Creative Directors: Jahra Wasasala & Ooshcon (CONJAH)

Original cast: Nadiyah Akbar, Oliver Carruthers, Sebastian Geilings, Rose Taspell and Cheyanne Teka

Additional cast: Avneil Mohan, Mele Tapueluelu, John Vaifale (HappyFeet), Ooshcon and Jahra Wasasala

Creative Collaborators: CONNIE CA$H (Shaquille Wasasala and Paloma Schneideman)

Film Collaborator: Joshua Faleatua

OUR ASK

We are looking to make this film in two parts; the first part of filming being in November 2021, and the second half of filming taking place in January 2022. This is for location purposes of the collaborators and to make sure we are able to make this film before some of our dancers leave the country.

$6,500 will help cover the cost of:

- Paying the collaborative team

- Flights between the two locations

- Filming and Lighting equipment hiring

All donors will be kept updated throughout production and will credited on the film when it is made public.

OUR REASON

 'APATHY: a horror genre' in its film adaption will bring back the original five Contemporary Dance artists the work was made in collaboration with and will welcome five new Street Dance artists to expand the world, introduce multiple realities and distort the narrative in new ways.

Through this film adaption, we are dedicated to centering more Street Dance artists as this builds the pathways and connections between multiple communities in the dance and film. We hope to share all of our artists' exceptional creative work, while speaking into the urgency of dissecting power and embracing connection during our time, contributing to the eclectic pantheon of Tagata Moana story-telling.

One of the most important reasons we want to make this short film, is to continue to fund Aotearoa-based artists, especially dancers, for more creative projects. It is important to create performance opportunities for our artists to build, show and share their work, especially within this pandemic that has seen the Live Arts Sector take an unprecedented hit.

Any amount helps! Please support us in reaching our goal with ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ and share this project campaign with your friends and communities!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt)’ was originally commissioned in 2020 by Footnote New Zealand Dance as a part of their performance programme of ‘The Movement' which they nationally toured in Aotearoa. Fa’afetai Lava to Anita Hunziker, Kerrin Burns and Richard Aindow for their support.

Photography Credit: Kerrin Burns

Original soundscape by: Paloma Schneideman

Artwork Credit: Shaquille Sydney