SOMA

SOMA is an experimental film that uses movement and dance as its primary medium for story-telling. A contemporary myth on the genesis of the human body, the piece unfolds in two parallel dimensions: an infinite black hole where entities exist outside linear space and time; and a labyrinthine house where an uncanny gathering is taking place. As the free-associative, dreamlike narrative unfolds, different characters go through visceral experiences of pleasure, enchantment, pain and death.

  • Arturo Bandinelli
    Director
    Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human Body; Walls of Limmerick; Otto Floss: Freelance Watcher
  • Arturo Bandinelli
    Concept
  • Esme Benjamin
    Concept
  • Ana Beatriz Meireles
    Concept
  • Klaudia Wittmann
    Concept
  • Klaudia Wittmann
    Producer
  • Arturo Bandinelli
    Producer
  • KWAM Collective
    Choreography
  • Ana Beatriz Meireles
    Movement Director
  • Dimitris Lambridis
    Director of Photography
  • Andrea Boccadoro
    Original Score
  • Arturo Bandinelli
    Editor
  • Stefano A Addae
    Key Cast
    "The Foreigner"
  • Esme Benjamin
    Key Cast
    "The Shaman"
  • Ace Hoffman
    Key Cast
    "The Introvert"
  • Alex Kamienski
    Key Cast
    "The Siren"
  • Klaudia Wittmann
    Key Cast
    "The Hysteric"
  • Tom Patrick Coley
    Assistant Director
  • Benedetta Scuto
    Production Manager
  • Emilia Anne Smith
    Costume Designer
  • Kris Limpert
    Art Director
  • Carolina Bandinelli
    Additional Cast
  • Benedetta Scuto
    Additional Cast
  • Tom Patrick Coley
    Additional Cast
  • Alberto Cossu
    Additional Cast
  • Riccardo Tarocco
    Additional Cast
  • Celina Liesegang
    Additional Cast
  • Bismark Anobah
    Additional Cast
  • Ana Beatriz Meireles
    Additional Cast
  • Soraya Phipps
    Make-up Artist
  • Alex Kamienski
    Styling and Characterisation
  • John Nick Phillips
    Sound Recordist
  • Tom Nowell
    Gaffer
  • Nacho Guzman
    First Assistant Camera
  • Vimiti Lebrere
    Second Assistant Camera & Loader
  • Barbara Van Schaik
    Additional Camera Assistant
  • William Allan
    Spark
  • Fillipo Ginestroni
    Production Assistant
  • Manthos G. Sardis
    Colourist
  • Arturo Bandinelli
    Visual Effects
  • Jakov Munižaba
    Sound Design
  • Jacov Munižaba
    Supervising Sound Editor
  • Nikola Medić
    Re-recording Mixer
  • Ivan Uzelac
    Foley Editor
  • Aleksa Prljević
    Foley Artist
  • Gabriella Opacka-Boccadoro
    Soprano
  • Andrea Bergesio
    Music Mixer
  • Filippo Ginestroni
    Backstage Photography
  • Thomas Ingram
    Backstage Videography
  • Caitlin Anderson
    Intern
  • Beatrice Bonini
    Graphic and Title Designer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm, Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    Nominee
  • Bucharest International Dance Film Festival
    Bucharest
    Romania
    September 7, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Cadro por Danza Festival
    Caracas
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    September 9, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Cinema No Estendal
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    September 15, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Thessaloniki Cinedance International
    Thessaloniki
    Greece
    September 22, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Torino Underground Cinefest
    Turin
    Italy
    September 22, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Greenwich Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 15, 2023
    Award Winner - Best Dance Film
  • Serbest International Film Festival
    Kishinev
    Moldova, Republic of
    September 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • New Renaissance Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 29, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Wild Dogs International Screendance Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    September 15, 2023
    Honourable Mention
  • dança em foco - Festival Internacional de Vídeo & Dança dança em foco - Festival Internacional de Vídeo & Dança
    Rio de Janiero
    Brazil
    December 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Experimental, Dance and Music Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 9, 2023
    Official Selection
  • LA Dance Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 4, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Arturo Bandinelli

Arturo Bandinelli is an Italian, London-based award-winning filmmaker, researcher and psychoanalyst in formation. He holds a BA in Film and Television (London College of Communication) and an MA in Psychosocial Studies (Birkbeck, University of London).

His graduation sci-fi short film Otto Floss: Freelance Watcher (2014) acquired international recognition, including international screenings and awards at ECU European Independent Film Festival (France), London Sci-Fi Film Festival (UK), Lago Film Festival (Italy), Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (France), Vigik Film Festival (Russia), Festival Utopiales (France) and Young Cuts Fest (Canada).

In the last years, Arturo started experimenting with non-fictional film formats in collaboration with choreographers, dancers, visual and performance artists. His recent experimental dance films, Walls of Limerick (2018) and Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human Body (2021) received international acclaim.

SOMA was produced and choreographed by KWAM Collective, a London-based artist-led group (co-directed by Klaudia Wittmann, Esme Benjamin and Ana Beatriz Meireles), that brings together dance theatre, film and therapeutic bodily practices. KWAM Collective's work has been supported by various UK art organisations including The Place, East London Dance, ECHO, the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement and the Arts Council England.

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