ALCHEMICAL reveals the vast capacity of the human spirit, as the power of Dance transforms tragedy into gold.
What are the challenges of a dance class that aims to reveal who we really are without judgement? Follow teacher Anne O’Keeffe and her students, as they take a journey of self-revelation, and the boundaries between dance and life dissolve.
ALCHEMICAL explores Anne’s Alchemy classes, illuminating the transformative power of authentic expression within a loving community.
Bear witness to remarkable students’ stories, as they navigate new ways of being – both in the studio and in their lives.
Mischa Baka
Candice Polglase
This is an expository and observational documentary, sharing the story of a class community engaging in embodied presence through the modality of improvised dance. We see what students bring into class from their personal lives, what unfolds in the class itself, and how the class enhances and supports their lives beyond the dance studio walls. The narrative follows the through line of Alchemy Dance Founder and Facilitator, Anne O’Keeffe. Her story is central: hearing her first initial engagement with improvised dance in youth, to her birthing this dance community of over two decades, to the legacy she wishes to leave behind. The stories of two students weave through the main story, demonstrating the bridge between art and life as their personal development through the support of this art form is highlighted.
DURATION: 80 MINUTES
Issue area
We all long to belong and seek acceptance for who we truly are.
Within the safe, inclusive Alchemy class, students are supported to navigate a range of social issues such as healing sexual assault, trauma, exploring gender identity, overcoming social exclusion and moving through the challenges of grief and loss. Renewed self-worth beckons at the end of each journey.
Through the power of dance, students are invited to express authentically, and are acknowledged and accepted by a compassionate community. This is a profound practice – inspiring insight and transformational growth.
The Documentary invites a way of living focused on authenticity, creativity and personal discovery. This results in a powerful sense of connection and community – which is needed now more than ever to combat isolation and disconnect.
We hope audiences will be inspired to seek avenues for self-expression in their own lives; fostering practices that facilitate the twin gifts of self-awareness and community engagement.
Short Term –
• Increase appreciation of the significance of artists and arts practice in our community.
• Increase awareness of Dance Improvisation and its therapeutic benefits.
• Increase connection to our humanity and compassion for others.
• Increase curiosity for creative avenues for personal exploration and growth.
• Increase awareness of the importance of community engagement.
• Move our audience through revealing genuine and impactful human stories.
Medium Term –
• Inspire an active seeking of creative avenues for personal exploration and group settings that foster connection and understanding.
• Inspire the viewer to dedicate quality time with family and friends that prioritizes presence.
• Inspire curiosity and exploration into compassionate ways of being with self and others.
Long Term
•Create momentum for the viewer to practice unconditional positive regard for self and others.
• To inspire the viewer to actively contribute to the cultivation of a healthy community
Alchemy has filming partnerships with two studios: Dancehouse and Green Monday Studios. Both organizations prioritize embodied practice and advocate for increased involvement in Dance, recognizing its significance as a gateway to creativity, community engagement, health and well-being. With shared objectives to us, both studios generously support our work.
We are currently in partnership with the City of Melbourne. Encouraged by the council’s endorsement, we are planning a test screening in the City of Melbourne, at Victorian College of Arts (Federation Hall Cinema), where two Production members teach. A Panel discussion will follow the screening, focusing on the documentary making process, as well as themes of the project.
An anonymous philanthropist recently contributed a generous amount towards the documentary. The benefactor’s wish is that we truthfully depict the Alchemy class and its community – and we will honor this commitment.
• Actively seek creative avenues for personal exploration and expression
• Actively support the Dance and the Arts through attending performances or philanthropy
• Actively seek group settings that foster connection, compassion, empathy and understanding
• Have increased motivation to practice new ways of being individually with self and others, prioritizing positive community connection and experience unconditional positive regard
• Explore practices and literature focusing on presence and mindfulness
• Reflect on intimacy and find ways to increase this in their lives, leading to better mental health outcomes. This is especially relevant as we emerge from COVID lockdown.
• Have intentional, quality time with family, friends and loves ones
• Take the themes of connection, creativity, courage and compassion into their workplaces, families and social circles – activating transformative change
Mischa Baka holds a Masters by Research degree from the University of Melbourne. His research project entitled Writing Dialogue: Stance, Space and Emotion (2018), was based in practice-led research incorporating dance, linguistics and screen writing. Mischa holds an undergraduate degree and honours from the Victorian College of the Arts film school where his graduate film, Last Beautiful Friend (2009) was awarded Most Daring and Innovative Production, Best Achievement in Editing and Best Achievement in Sound. The film was nominated for an Australian Directors Guild Award in 2010. In 2011 Mischa attended the Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival where Last Beautiful Friend screened as part of the international program.
Mischa was an editor of Tau Seru, a short film that premiered at Cannes Critics Week in 2013, which won Best Australian Short Film at the 2013 Melbourne International Short Film Festival. Mischa Baka is the producer/filmmaker of Yogini Melbourne, a popular Yoga YouTube channel. Mischa has participated in the Alchemy classes for 3 years.
Mischa is Director, Editor and co-videographer on the forthcoming Alchemy documentary.
Candice Polglase has been investigating and exploring body-based movement and healing practices for over 25 years. This pursuit led her to the Alchemy community run by Anne O’Keeffe, in 2014, and it was there she met fellow filmmaker Mischa Baka. They began working together on several film projects, including the Desert Song Festival in Alice Springs (2019) and The Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir U.S.A Tour Documentary (2018). Candice founded her grassroots production company, Probability Film Productions which houses the Alchemy project.
Candice is also assistant editor and co-videographer on the forthcoming Alchemy documentary.
$70,000
FUNDING GOAL$0
FUNDS RAISED0
SUPPORTERS
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