monolith (film)
Made possible by The Canada Council for the Arts and The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Monolith illustrates how women are exploited by powerful figures, oftentimes under the guise of good intentions. The main character, Subject 71 is confined to an existence where she must meet the expectations and cater to the demands of The Monitor: a narcissistic and malicious being whose masked face continues to glare with manipulative expression. The Monitor’s commands may be delivered with grace but are in fact insane and inhumane. Subject 71 has no choice but to smile and appease. Her own existence, purpose, and dreams are directly tied to The Monitor’s whims and can be taken away at any moment.
The themes in Monolith speak to the experience of many female artists who are placed in situations where they are expected to obey those in higher positions without asking “why?” or even “is this appropriate?” Performed by Kushniruk herself, the sentiment is drawn from her own experiences as a professional dancer.
PRAISE FOR MONOLITH
“... I loved the rhythm of it, the intimacy of it, the bold lighting, bold contrast... I was surprised by how deeply I felt for the monotonous moments- and connected with the small (but giant) shifts within the containment.”
“CCA fund Tia more.”
“...very compelling, it was like a contemporary art Black Mirror. The design was very high level, such clear images in low light, kudos to the lighting team and camera crew...”
“...it was unlike any dance film I’ve seen.”
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Credits:
Tia Ashley Kushniruk (Artistic Producer/Co-Writer/Performer/Choreographer)
Collaborators on this project include Rizwan Mohuiddin (co-Writer/Director); Kristen Innes Stambolic (Animator); Ileanna Cheladyn (Rehearsal Director/Movement Director); Nicolas Lehmann (Lead Editor/Cinematographer) Susannah Haight (Costume Consultant); Emmett Verhoog (Original Score/Sound Mixing); Jake Tkaczyk (Production Manager); Alexander Boldt (Ass.t Cinematographer/Ass.t Editor); Kenzie Bowes (Lighting Designer); and Andrea Handel Rivera (Admin).
This film touches on serious topics and comes with a trigger warning for those sensitive to sexual assault and suicide.
monolith premiered on April 16th 2021, presented through Mile Zero's Dance Crush Residency Series.
French and Mandarin Subtitle Translators: Ying Emma Kushniruk, Odile-Amélie Peters, Sydney McManus
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To watch monolith click here
For inquires please email tiaakush71@gmail.com