Katarina Balgavy is the creative force behind In The Way of Dance, a dramatic fashion film where two dancers meet on sand dunes and fight a dance battle. If this doesn’t sound like an ordinary fashion film, that’s because it isn’t. Katarina produced and directed the film for Mohair South Africa and Cape Town Fashion Council in an effort to feature local fashion and capture ‘the contrast of diversity and unity in South Africa’.
Based in Vienna in Austria, Munich in Germany and Cape Town, Katarina works as a photographer, graphic designer and multimedia expert. She’s worked with Coca-Cola, Diesel and Austria’s Next Top Model. We chat to her about the message behind her film.
Why did you make this film?
There was an urge to create a perspective and unique work of film that goes beyond the usual. I wanted to create something local in an industry that usually focuses either on international standards and brands, or the typical usage of traditional tribal African elements. I wondered where all the tribal arts were in everyday life.
What is the concept behind the film?
It shows a contemporary view of local fabrics and garments to support the local design and manufacturing industries. The film allows liberty and empowerment between various cultures and influences, and the performance features local, emerging fashion design and traditional manufacturers.
What was it like working with Mohair South Africa and how did you go about incorporating the fabric in the film?
Mohair South Africa seemed the right choice of brand and NGO due to its organic and sustainable approach. We used purely local materials and collections.
Tell us about the process of making the film.
The process was intense. We had to do a lot of research on the 11 spoken languages, the different tribes and the historical, cultural and emotional influences on the country. It was a demanding project mentally and physically. This was not just because of the production management, logistics on location and bureaucratic restrictions, but also because of the local and environmental circumstances. We faced sandstorms, break-ins, and we lost our data. But we all survived and loved doing this [laughs]. That is probably the edge of depth and beauty.
Why a dance battle? Do you think there is a similarity between dancing and fighting?
Our nature consists in motion; dance has always been a ritual and expression of culture and identity. During apartheid people would toyi-toyi while rebelling and marching in the streets. Dance allows you to identify yourself – the perception of the world through the body may express either a process or state of mind.
How does this film depict the contrast of diversity and unity in SA?
It reflects the diversity of South Africa’s various languages and cultures. I want to strengthen the influence different cultures have on each other. The dynamics of black and white, Asian, African and European cultures and heritage are constantly evolving – there is a constant process of action and reaction.
You have worked quite extensively internationally. Do you feel art should involve itself in local culture?
There are no limitations. Art does not claim any certain nationality or origin of where to come from. Where the government draws the line, the artist is able to push the limit.
Watch the film below and let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
IN THE WAY OF DANCE from MoZine on Vimeo.
See more: katarinabalgavy.com Tumblr, inthewayofdance.tumblr.com