Experiencing Interruptions?

Fight The Fear

In this narrative dance and spoken word short, a Dreamer confronts her fears of deportation. Set in a cemented river bed in Southern California, clusters of dancers push, drag, and carry each other in a dance of survival, while powerful spoken word and ethereal vocals call out the fears and hopes of those facing exclusionary migration laws. Created through collaboration and storytelling, this piece highlights the real struggles of the lead performers, while also celebrating their strength, and resilience. Working with Latinx stories and contemporary South Asian music and movement recognizes the intersections of the global South and the continuing challenges of migration, borders and belonging.

  • Shyamala Moorty
    Director
  • Jazmin Alejos
    Key Cast
  • Teresa Flores Segura
    Key Cast
  • Gregory R.R. Crosby
    Cinamatography and editing
  • Neelamjit Dhillon
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    dance, spoken word
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 5, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Nava Gati Contemporary Indian Dance Festival
    Stokholm
    Sweden
    October 1, 2022
    World Premiere
  • Marina Del Rey Film Festival
    Marina Del Rey
    United States
    June 18, 2022
    North America Premiere
    Best Short - Experimental - Dance
  • CA Women's Film Festival
    Sherman Oaks
    United States
    July 16, 2022
  • Silicon Beach Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    September 10, 2022
  • Experimental Dance & Music Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 13, 2022
    Canada
    Best Narrative Dance Film
  • Indian International Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    March 15, 2023
    India
    2nd Cinematography, 3rd Best Lead Actor, Critics Choice Best Lockdown Short Film
  • American Dance Festival's Movies by Movers
    Durham
    United States
    June 17, 2023
  • Awareness Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 6, 2023
    Merit of Awareness Award
  • Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema
    Boulder
    United States
    November 6, 2023
    Colorado
  • WRPN Women's International Film Festival
    Rehoboth
    United States
    May 17, 2024
    Delaware
  • FilmHaus
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 27, 2023
    Semi-Finalist Best Cinematography
Director Biography - Shyamala Moorty

Shyamala Moorty is a director, choreographer, and facilitator who values collaboration, connection and transformation through the arts. Her interdisciplinary work draws on dance, theater, multimedia, yoga and community engagement. She is a founding member of the Post Natyam Collective, a transnational, web-based coalition of dance artists; and the Dancing Storytellers, whose innovative performances are ideal for youth. Shyamala’s performance work has toured in Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, India, the U.K. and the U.S. Her specialty is in directing and choreographing devised ensemble work and nurturing the visions of multidisciplinary solo artists. www.shyamalamoorty.net

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Director Statement

A cross between a documentary and an experimental film, the process of making this film was all about sharing, listening, finding connections, and exploring the interdisciplinary tools of the body and voice. The dancers bravely bared their souls and challenged themselves beyond their comfort zones. Originally created for the stage, we adapted it quite a bit when the stage production was closed down due to the pandemic. I was blessed in this first time directing a film to work with an incredible cinematographer, Gregory R.R. Crosby, who elevated my vision.