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SHADOW: Trailer

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Film and Music by Francesca Jandasek

Dancers: Ashley Krost & Antonella Redekosky

Cinematography:  Gregory R.R. Crosby

Best Boy Electric: Stephanie Losleben

Costumes: Kelsey Vidic

Special Thanks to CSULB Dance

About the Project

 

I first got the idea for this film while researching the Romanian Legend of the Arges Monastery for a full evening length show I created in 2018. In the legend, a pregnant woman is immured to make the walls of the monastery stand. After further research, I came across the belief of the “stahie,” or shadow, an ancient Eastern European belief and practice that in order for the walls of a building to stand, someone has to be built into the walls either physically (i.e their body), or metaphysically (i.e their shadow). 

As I delved into the legend and this belief, I found myself facing my many shadows - my many possibilities and my many fears. I found myself questioning: Who is the shadow? What reality/possibility do I choose? Does it even matter, if we all fade away from memory and existence, leaving nothing behind?  

 

Ultimately, I was questioning whether, as a woman, it was more important for me to create, or to reproduce. And, why do I have this need? Is it to achieve a sort of immortality, a way to exist beyond my existence, whether through the creation of offspring, or art creation? The shadows represent my personal struggle of what realities/possibilities to choose as a woman artist - art creation vs. procreation. 

Film Festivals

CSULB Dance Film Festival March 2020

Los Angeles Dance Festival October 2020

Lady Filmmakers Festival September - October 2020

(Best Experimental Film Short Award)

Lady Filmmakers Festival November 2020 DRIVE IN Event

Inspired Dance Film Fest Australia November 8 - 15th, 2020

(Semi-Finalist Award)

FilmFest by Rogue Dancer November 14, 2020

Yucca Valley Film Festival November 13-15, 2020

InShadow November 24-28, 2020

Experimental, Dance and Music Festival December 2020 

(Audience Feedback)

IndieBOOM! Festival December 21st, 2020

(Winner, Dance Category)

Dunedin International Film Festival January 11th, 2021

Beirut International Women Film Festival March 30th 2021

Blacksphere Online Film Festival April 7- 14, 2021

ViDEOSKiN III April 15, 2021

(Honorable Mention)

Prague International Indie Film Festival September 18, 2021

(Semi-Finalist for Best Original Score - 1st Quarter)

(Semi-Finalist for Best Ensemble - 1st Quarter)

(Semi-Finalist for Best Editing - 1st Quarter)

(Semi-Finalist for Best Experimental Short - 1st Quarter)

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OFFICIAL SELECTION - Lady Filmmakers Fes
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White  Laurel - IDFFA - SEMI-FINALIST (1
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