future islands ‘the thief’

A dance dance film. A bittersweet love song. Breathing life into the album artwork.

I worked with choreographer Ted Rogers, my prolific ally and collaborator, to create movement around the breath – the foundation of Martha Graham’s work. For her everything was about contraction and release. So we based the choreography on this contrast. Balletic control and precision look so graceful but are incredibly gruelling on the body. So as the track goes on, we dismantle perfection and push the dancers to extremes. We watch them unravel and free themselves. It’s as if the music changes them. We’re big believers in casting dancers who have experienced life and aren’t afraid to express it on screen. 

Produced by Manoela Chiabai, shot by Nanu Segal, edited by Geri Docherty. Dancers: Ted Rogers, Maren Fidje Bjørneseth, Anna Engerström, Akti - Magdalini Konstantinou

Full credits at the end.