Ilanna Barkusky, an alum of SHOOT’s 2022 New Directors Showcase, helmed this fully underwater dance film titled Under The Surface and featuring artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez, a two-time Olympian.
In 2022 at the World Championships, Alvarez lost consciousness in the pool at the conclusion of her routine and made global headlines after her coach had to dive in to rescue her.
This project showcases an expression of the emotions that characterized this experience and her journey back to the sport–joy, sadness, fear, and trust. Joy during her performance in Budapest turned to sadness in the aftermath of the incident, with the associated fear of returning to the pool. Learning to trust herself and the process circled her back to the beginning of “joy” as she recently returned to competition in Canada. In that artistic swimming as a sport is such an outlet for creative expression, Alvarez was able to bring life and movement to these common feelings we all experience in our life experience in a unique underwater setting.
CreditsProduction Ilanna Barkusky, director; Jacqueline Lehr, DP; Cynthia Hatfield, 1st AC. Editorial Whitney Weir, editor & motion graphics Color Grade The Mill Elodie Ichter, colorist. Music The Ski Team Donny Dykowsky, composer. Sound Design Matt Tipold, sound designer.
Directing Duo rubberband. Meshes Athleticism and Artistry In “Sabrina” For Nike Basketball
Directing duo rubberband. of production house SMUGGLER blends sport and symphony in perfect harmony in “Sabrina” for Nike, featuring basketball superstar and newly minted WNBA champion, Sabrina Ionescu.
Playing on the court alongside classical musicians, the film masterfully captures the passion and precision of basketball in sync with the elegance of strings and horns, creating a harmonious celebration of athleticism and artistry.
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