Experiencing Interruptions?

Changezi , Dancer Among Shadows

He wasn't allowed to dance! With a zero budget and no crew, what was supposed to be a portfolio project has turned into a video diary of a dancer's life. Changu Changezi from the small conservative town in Pakistan. This film follows him on his journey of questioning his upbringing, how important his dreams are to him and how far will he go to attain them. The film is a cascade of dance work and unconventional cinema directed by the Zak sisters exploring childhood grief and gender through wordless movement.

  • Maria Zak
    Director
    We Ate The Children Last
  • Sasha Zak
    Director
    Faded
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    45 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 30, 2014
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • International Film and Photography Festival
    Indonesia
    January 27, 2016
    Rising Star
  • Wendy's Shorts Festival

    January 1, 2016
    Best International LGBT Documentary
  • TOFF

    June 1, 2015
    Audience Choice Award for Best Medium Film
Director Biography - Maria Zak, Sasha Zak

Zak Sisters Bios

Zak Sisters are a twin director team, Maria and Sasha Zak. Born in Moscow, lived most of their lives in South Africa, but currently working within the Canadian Cinema industry. Their film debut is Changezi, Dancer Among Shadows 2014 which is a humble production with no crew or budget but has been noticed by the social justice community winning Best International LGBTQ Documentary from Wendy's Shorts Festival. It Won Rising Star Award and was nominated for best film for IFPF 2015 Festival as part of International Human Rights Day. Also awarded Zak Sisters Filmmaker of the Year Award 2015.

The Sisters are establishing themselves in the documentary community with their new higher budget provocative films still in production. Sasha has won best cinematographer award from IFPF 2015 Festival. Maria participated in films including award winning ‘Faded' as an actress and set designer; the acclaimed ‘Mother’s Last Will’ as assistant writer and casting director. Her footage of Toronto G20 riots has been noticed by Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in We Ate The Children Last (2011).

Zak Sisters are attacking the film industry with full force and aim to enter into the new era of female directors. 
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With a background in classical theatre, the arts and activist social justice, Zak Sisters bring you films that are both visually evocative and thought provoking.
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Director Statement

A good film is one that generates empathy, a chance to walk through a another person's shoes through a beautifully focused lens.