A dance film examining the connection between our younger and older selves; what we keep and what we lose.
Created for Scottish Ballet's 2017 Digital Season, this short features a duet between a professional ballerina and an older dancer. The piece is set to a specially-commissioned poem by Scotland's 'Makar' Jackie Kay, who narrates the poem accompanied by the electronica of Alex Menzies.
Haud Close Tae Me has been screened at Manchester Film Festival, Light Moves Festival of Screendance, Edinburgh Short Film Festival, San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Underwire Film Festival where it was nominated for Best Film in the 'XX' category, and Women Over Fifty Film Festival 2020 where it won Best Experimental Film. In 2024, it was screened on Virgin Atlantic flights as part of the the WOFFF X Virgin Atlantic dementia-friendly cinema programme.
“A celebration of our endless capacity to embrace what comes next, regardless of age, Kay’s words are like a third dancer in this deeply moving duet ... (a woman and her younger self we assume).” – The Scotsman
“A directorial triumph for Eve McConnachie, Scottish Ballet’s in-house filmmaker, the piece is rich with emotive close-ups – the twist of a hand, glimpse of a cheek, flutter of an eyelash or drag of a pointe shoe across the floor.” – The Scotsman
Haud Close Tae Me has been screened at Manchester Film Festival, Light Moves Festival of Screendance, Edinburgh Short Film Festival, San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Underwire Film Festival where it was nominated for Best Film in the 'XX' category, and Women Over Fifty Film Festival 2020 where it won Best Experimental Film. In 2024, it was screened on Virgin Atlantic flights as part of the the WOFFF X Virgin Atlantic dementia-friendly cinema programme.
“A celebration of our endless capacity to embrace what comes next, regardless of age, Kay’s words are like a third dancer in this deeply moving duet ... (a woman and her younger self we assume).” – The Scotsman
“A directorial triumph for Eve McConnachie, Scottish Ballet’s in-house filmmaker, the piece is rich with emotive close-ups – the twist of a hand, glimpse of a cheek, flutter of an eyelash or drag of a pointe shoe across the floor.” – The Scotsman
Sadly dancer Jill Ferguson passed away in March 2020. She was a wonderful person and gifted dancer. This film is dedicated to her memory.
Behind the Scenes Gallery (photos by Christina Riley)
Credits
Dancers: Jill Ferguson & Mia Thompson
Director: Eve McConnachie
Choreographer: Christopher Hampson
Producer: Charlotte Gross for Scottish Ballet
Poem: Jackie Kay
Soundtrack: Alex Menzies
Project Mentor/Director of Photography: Michael Sherrington
Director of Photography: Nick Aiton
Camera Assistant: Arif Nadeem
Runner: Marie Liden
Colourist: Oscar Sansom
Hair & Make-Up: Jak Morgan
With thanks: Sarah Potter, Carrie McAdam & The Forest of Black
Director: Eve McConnachie
Choreographer: Christopher Hampson
Producer: Charlotte Gross for Scottish Ballet
Poem: Jackie Kay
Soundtrack: Alex Menzies
Project Mentor/Director of Photography: Michael Sherrington
Director of Photography: Nick Aiton
Camera Assistant: Arif Nadeem
Runner: Marie Liden
Colourist: Oscar Sansom
Hair & Make-Up: Jak Morgan
With thanks: Sarah Potter, Carrie McAdam & The Forest of Black
