Illness reaches its crisis in a dissolving sweat (2024) Documentary Trailer

The documentary film 'lllness Reaches Its Crisis in a Dissolving Sweat' focuses on women ageing through dance. A cinematic journey celebrating the enduring power of femininity and resilience embodied by the Argentinian dance choreographer Florencia Guerberof.
Her work creatively explores life's profundity and the timeless legacy of womanhood through the language of Japanese Butoh dance.

Year

2024

Type of film

Features

Running Time

66 min

Format

4 k

Director

Maria and Florencia Guerberof 1st Feature

Producer

Maria and Florencia Guerberof

Editor

Florencia Guerberof, Wilfried Bellouati

Director of Photography

Maria Guerberof

Sound

Kwan Chau

Music

Bendik Giske

Principal Cast

Florencia Guerberof, Gail Sixsmith, Thema Sharma

Cinematography

Maria Guerberof

Editors

Wilfried Bellouati, Florencia Guerberof

Trailer editor

Carly Baker

Sound Designer

Kwan Chau

Colourist

Lee Towhey

Motion graphics

Diego Ghirardo

'lllness Reaches Its Crisis in a Dissolving Sweat' Dance Theater performance (2023)

In the summer of 2022 I created a new dance performance. I contracted Covid in the process. I spent seven days feeling extremely weak and drained but I continue moving. Through angst and nausea, I danced an imaginary purge in a soundscape of life force pulsations. During the making of the work I was confronted with a state of crisis, being caught up in-between the desire to move and not being able to. By the last rehearsal my energy was fully restored through a liberating and cathartic sweat. 

In 2023, I extended this work. I, along with two senior female dancers, form a trio representing the past, present, and future with a 20-year gap. The choreography originates from the mouth, driven by gagging, heartbeats and anxiety also connecting pulsations and spasms to the orgasm and birth, swiftly shifting from discomfort to pleasure and back. This new piece explores life's urgency, female sexuality and ageing bodies. Dance is viewed as an expression of desire that transcends the pain of existence.

Direction, dramaturgy and choreography: Florencia Guerberof

Mise-en-scène: Florencia Guerberof

Performers: Florencia Guerberof, Gail Sixsmith, Thelma Sharma.

Lighting: Maria Guerberof