Short films about locked-down London released

Maxine Kwok performs in PLAY: Rising (photograph: Odera Okoye)

Two new short films inspired by lockdown life in the City of London have been released. Commissioned by Culture Mile, the films explore themes of space in a socially-distanced world.

Both films feature musicians of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who are based at the Barbican Centre in the City, as well as dancers performing original compositions in collaboration with emerging film-makers.

Rising explores our longing for human connection alongside our relationship with space during a locked-down world.

Directed by Antonia Luxem, it was filmed on the 34th floor of 100 Bishopsgate at twilight and features Marie Astrid Mence of Ballet Black with the LSO’s Maxine Kwok performing a new composition by Darren Bloom.

The Spell & The Promise features Gareth Davies, LSO’s principal flute, performing a new composition by Jasmine Kent Rodgman.

Joining him are dancers Faye Stoeser and Salomé Pressac, with choreography by Harry Price and directed by Lexi Kiddo. It was filmed in London Wall Place, where ancient and modern architecture collide.

The collaboration looks ahead to PLAY, an outdoor music festival planned for May. It looks to be right up through the noise’s street so stay tuned for more details…

Full details on the films here.