In this final episode of FORMidables, we hear from two artists who have embraced dance film as a most inspiring creative practice, offering infinite possibilities of approaching dance as a subject of viewing. They offer a masterclass in “just doing it”, whilst giving precious advice to their younger selves and sharing striking insights in Western Sydney’s unique character. You’ll be left in no doubt that living a creative life is priceless.

Diving deep in their personal stories, Molonai Makalio and Lawrencea Mateariki openheartedly share their Polynesian culture and how dance has been a healing force in their life journey growing up in Western Sydney.

In this meditative episode, Murasaki Penguin co-founder and multidisciplinary choreographer Anna Kuroda with charismatic dance artist Ryuichi Fujimura share their love of performance and the joy of connecting with an audience. Their distinct paths to becoming a professional dancer tell us that there is no one way of building a career and that it’s never too late to give it a go.

Enter the worlds of Braveheart and Riverdance! With remarkable honesty and humility in view of their international achievements, two-time Irish dance world champion, Liam Costello, contemporary Highland dancer and emerging choreographer Sabrina Muszynski, with leading Irish and tap dancer, Peta Anderson, share the highs and lows of competitive “sports” that have taken them from the NSW Northern Rivers to Edinburgh, Western Sydney to London and New York.

What is Hip Hop? Australian B-Boy pioneer Nick Power, joined by Jack Wardana aka Poppin’Jack of Stale Biskitz and Booyakasha member Alice Tauv aka Arisse openly share their strong sense of belonging to the Hip Hop community. Leaders in their own right, they take us through the roots of this “universal unifier” and the roads they travelled to find their own distinct artistic voices, from the Tanami Desert to Paris, the Inner West to Western Sydney where Sydney’s Hip Hop heart beats the loudest.

Two of the most treasured voices of Australian independent contemporary dance disclose with courage and humour the story behind their relationship and common belief in the artist’s responsibility to ask the hard questions. Their provocative and generous conversation makes compulsory listening for anyone interrogating the current cultural parameters, indigenous and non-indigenous, framing contemporary art making in a multicultural society. Vicki Van Hout and Raghav Handa open doors to genuine dialogue and remind us that dance is a language for all. Vicki Van Hout is an Indigenous independent artist with Wiradjuri, Dutch, Scottish, and Afghan heritage, and over 20 years’ experience as a director, choreographer, performer, dramaturg and mentor. She was the recipient of The Australia Council Dance Award in 2019, which recognised her outstanding and sustainable contribution to Australian dance and the impact on Australia’s cultural narrative through “her commitment to charting new territories through her work, challenging existing stories and prompting contemporary conversations.” Raghav Handa is an Australian choreographer and performer of Indian heritage, Inspired by his birthright – his works combine traditional kathak principles and contemporary movement to create multifaceted and engaging explorations of modern Australian cultural identity. He has worked in a variety of dance roles including choreographer, performer, collaborator, dance lecturer, artist representative and mentor for young performers. His works have been performed across Australia and internationally to strong critical acclaim.

In January 2020, in the heat and smoke of last summer’s devastating Australian bushfires, 16 dancers from Bega to Parramatta, joined by 48 young Western Sydney musicians, performed in Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta as part of the Sydney festival 2020. ENCOUNTER was a work of joy. In this episode, ENCOUNTER speaker and FORMidables host Pola Fanous shares the experience of making ENCOUNTER with its director, Emma Saunders. First joined by writer Felicity Castagna, they explore the nexus between dance, text and performance in the context of creating a site-specific work. Cast members Feras Shaheen and Gabriela Green Olea follow in describing their process of discovery and endurance through rehearsing outdoors, across sites from South to West, over the 18 months it took to create a work filled with emotional realities from which a new youth company, We Are Here, has emerged.

Friday, 21 August 2020 Bharatanatyam artists, Aruthy Kumanan from Western Sydney and Indian-born choreographer, performer and educator Aruna Gandhi expertly distill what makes this South Indian classical dance such a fascinating art form anchored in tradition and spirituality. Dispelling Youtube and Bollywood myths, both artists will make you want for more! With an artistic journey spanning over three decades, Aruna Gandhi received the ‘Distinguished Talent Visa’ in Australia in 2013. She presents solos in Bharatanatyam, collaborates with artists for cross-artform projects, facilitates 'Creative Movement' workshops and is the Founder-Director of 'Silambam-Sydney' an institution for fine arts in South-West Sydney. Since 2013 Aruthy has been a student teacher at Bharatalaya Dance Academy, Sydney. In 2018 Aruthy co-choreographed her first thematic presentation, ‘Ma’. She is currently working towards the inaugural show of Niraivadhi Fine Arts, which she co-founded with the hope of fostering a platform for up-and-coming Classical Indian artists like herself.

Contemporary African choreographer Lucky Lartey from Ghana and Award Winning hip hop artist Azzam Mohamed from Sudan share their love of hip hop, how dance has transformed their lives and the values that made them embrace an artistic path...and earn a Guinness world record on the way.

Award-winning flamenco dance artist Pepa Molina and young choreographic talent Eliza Cooper share their love of flamenco, nature and all things to celebrate in life from the Sydney Opera House to the Bolshoi Theatre, from Seville to Granville, Picasso to Gina Lollobrigida.