The Making of Samsara (film)

Company production | 2020

Samsara, a duet between international dance artists Aakash Odedra (UK/India) and Hu Shenyuan (China) was premiered in March 2020. This documentary gives a unique insight to the collaborative creative process that took place over three years, across the UK, USA, China & Australia. Through the voices of the choreographers/performers and the producer the journey of Samsara is brought to life. Discover how remarkably, the show went on despite language barriers and a global pandemic.

Aakash Odedra Company and Bagri Foundation invite you to experience The Making of Samsara, a physical and spiritual dance performance. Inspired by the historical events recounted in the 16th century Chinese classic Journey to the West, Samsara is an unprecedented expression of cultural exchange through the language of dance, drawing upon the diverse disciplines of ballet, contemporary dance, Chinese folk dance and the classical Indian dance form kathak.

Credits

Documentary Director & Editor
Dmitriy Kuleshov

Executive Producer
Anand Bhatt

Choreographers/Performers
Aakash Odedra, Hu Shenyuan

Composer
Nicki Wells

Costume
K H Lee

Dramaturg
Lou Cope

Lighting Designer
Yaron Abulafia

Set Designer
Tina Tzoka

Technical Director
Salvatore Scollo

Commissioned by Bagri Foundation

Co-producing/commissioning partners of Samsara: Asia TOPA; Arts Centre Melbourne; Birmingham Hippodrome; Curve Leicester; the Royal Ballet; Shanghai International Dance Centre, Chaillot – National theatre for dance, Paris.

Supporting partners of Samsara: British Council; Jacob’s Pillow; Peacock Contemporary Dance Company (Kunming, China); Playking Foundation; Sidney Myer Fund; Victoria Government.