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Relâche - The Last Dance on Earth

From an island at the end of the earth comes an experimental homage to the 1924 René Clair short film Entr'acte, originally created for Erik Satie’s Dadaist ballet Relâche.

Relâche - The Last Dance on Earth was devised by Second Echo Ensemble (SEE), a Tasmanian arts organisation committed to radical equity, diversity, and visibility. The film was initially created as part of a performance work and blends absurdist themes with a bold exploration of life, mortality, and chaos. Shot on black-and-white 16mm film and hand-processed, this experimental work captures the spirit of early cinema, reimagined through the lens of contemporary Dadaism.

The 18-minute film follows a man who strikes a deal with Death to gain more time, setting off on a surreal journey through life’s riotous spectacle—its joys, chaos, and wars. In a desperate attempt to outrun fate, he confronts mortality, while the filmmaker voyeuristically attempts to escape it. Relâche embraces the absurd, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The film becomes a meditation on both the futility and beauty of resisting the inevitable, touching on themes of death, rebirth, and the endless cycle of existence.

Second Echo Ensemble, based in Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, is known for creating and presenting performances that challenge assumptions, amplify diverse voices, and foster human connection through radical collaboration. Founded in 2005, SEE works with artists of all abilities, pushing boundaries and celebrating creativity in every form. This film was collaboratively developed by SEE’s artists, incorporating their unique perspectives, skills, and insights, resulting in a groundbreaking and inclusive work.

  • Kelly Jane Drummond Cawthon
    Director
  • Jack Thomas Cawthon
    Writer
  • Sandi Sissel
    Producer
    Salaam Bombay, Yellow Card, Barney's Great Adventure, Drug Wars: The Camarena Story, Soul Of The Game, The Reef, Camp Nowhere, Full Eclipse, Double Switch, Drop Dead Fred, Drag Strip Girl, The People Under The Stairs, Passion's Way, New York Minute, and Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns, Dangerous Minds, Black Knight, Exit Wounds, Rock Star, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Roommates, Daredevil, Stealing Harvard, The Believers, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Allan Quartermain and The City of Lost Gold, The Ballad Of Jack and Rose, Blow, Cellular, Master and Commander
  • William Webster
    Key Cast
  • Michael Fortescue
    Key Cast
  • Ursula Woods
    Cinematographer
    Man on a Hill, You Should Have Been Here Yesterday, Ron's Creek, My Journey, A Green Affair
  • Jack Thomas Cawthon
    Editor
  • K Verell
    Colour Timing
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
  • Genres:
    Experimental
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 3, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    40,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:33:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • ART + FILM Artist Film Workshop
    Melbourne
    Australia
    February 17, 2025
  • Women in Film Tasmania
    Hobart
    Australia
    March 12, 2025
Director Biography - Kelly Jane Drummond Cawthon

Kelly Drummond Cawthon is a director, choreographer, and creative force with over forty years of experience in performance. Known for her work in both the U.S. and Australia, she is the Creative Director of Second Echo Ensemble, a Tasmanian-based arts organisation committed to radical equity, diversity, and visibility. Kelly has directed, produced, and devised numerous works that blend dance, theatre, and film, often exploring themes of identity, transformation, and the absurd. Her unique approach to storytelling and collaboration challenges conventional boundaries, using art to spark social change and amplify marginalised voices.

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Director Statement

In the making of Relâche - The Last Dance on Earth, I sought to create a work that embraces the tension between chaos and clarity, where meaning is found not in perfection, but in disruption. This film is a journey through the absurd, an exploration of mortality, and a celebration of the unpredictable nature of life. Shot on black-and-white 16mm film and hand-processed, Relâche is both an homage to early cinema and a radical reimagining of the Dadaist spirit. Every frame is an invitation to question the status quo, to dismantle the boundaries between performance, audience, and reality. It’s not about understanding—it’s about experiencing. Relâche is a visual symphony where life and death collide, offering a momentary glimpse into the beauty of impermanence. This is art in motion—unpredictable, messy, and alive.

The privilege of collaborating with the artists of Second Echo Ensemble is integral to my creative practice. Every day, I work alongside them as peers, sharing in the artistic process and contributing to the development of works that challenge assumptions and embrace diverse perspectives. Their lived experiences and unique artistic voices shape and inform every aspect of this film, ensuring that it is both authentic and collaborative. This ongoing partnership emphasizes equality, respect, and the importance of creating art that is truly inclusive and representative of the diverse narratives we seek to amplify.