Movement Practitioner

"Movement Practitioner" is a poignant documentary that follows the life of Niels Claes, an award-winning contemporary dancer. The film explores Niels’ present-day success and delves into his turbulent past, marked by bullying and a struggle to find acceptance. From being a gay dancer amongst heterosexual jocks to being counted out as an aspiring dancer who is a dime a dozen, he has had to fight his way. By presenting the dancer’s story in reverse order, the documentary reveals the challenges he faced as a non-conformist in his youth and his journey toward empowerment. The film addresses themes of belonging, loneliness, and perseverance, shedding light on the lasting trauma caused by bullying. Through intimate access to Niels Claes' personal experiences, the documentary advocates for increased awareness and understanding of the consequences of bullying, reminding audiences to embrace their true identities and support others facing similar challenges.

  • Oleksii Korotych
    Director
  • Bensinlo Jeremy Lorin
    Director
  • Niels Claes
    Key Cast
  • Oleksii Korotych
    Director of Photography (DOP)
  • Bensinlo Jeremy Lorin
    Sound Design
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 19, 2023
  • Country of Filming:
    Lithuania
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - LCC International University
  • LCC International University Documentary Film Festival
    Klaipeda
    Lithuania
    April 22, 2023
  • The Story of "Marked". Documentary | Performance | Workshop
    Klaipeda
    Lithuania
    June 18, 2023
  • Give Peace A Screen (GPAS) Short Film Festival
    Turin
    Italy
    October 21, 2023
    Finalist
  • International Queer Film Festival “Merlinka”
    Belgrade
    Serbia
    December 7, 2023
    Official Selection
  • FirstCut Fim Festival
    Pune
    India
    March 8, 2024
    Runner-Up BEST FILM (Non-Fiction Category)
Director Biography - Oleksii Korotych, Bensinlo Jeremy Lorin

Oleksii Korotych is a visual content creator. Originally from Ukraine, he has also lived across the United States, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. With a primary background in photography, he ventures into various visual mediums, including graphic design and film.

As a filmmaker, Oleksii consistently pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling in every project. His work seeks to foster intimate connections between the audience and the characters on screen, ensuring that each narrative triggers a personal response. Notably, Oleksii is unafraid to delve into provocative and taboo themes or images, including those relating to the LGBTQ+ community.

Jeremy Lorin is a budding creative whose passion for storytelling channels most purely into screenwriting and directing. He recently made his directorial debut with the short documentary “Movement Practitioner.”

Born in the backwoods of India, raised in Los Angeles, and now residing in Europe, Jeremy’s unique cross-cultural perspective on social strata and human connection strongly informs his work. His infectious devotion to his craft and quaint vision set out to create a strong emotional resonance with audiences, drawing them into his world.

Oleksii and Jeremy met in Lithuania, where they both studied Contemporary Communication.

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