Work on film

Inside the Blind Iris

Directed by Douglas Bernardt & choreographed by Botis Seva. Produced by Far From The Norm x Stink Films

An experimental cinematic dance  film where body language, light, VFX, camera work and graphic design are used to  tell a story of oppression and the absence of belonging. Set in a dilapidated,  abandoned space, which portrays the main character's confused state of mind.  Choreography is used to make the dancers appear as haunting spirits that follow the  main character as he journeys in search of his own self.

“We didn’t want to make a political film, but we did want to convey a message of resistance. Some of the movements in the performance are almost anarchic, because it’s almost as if we are trying to run away from the restraints of society… We are trying to escape from this, we are trying to figure this out with movement and light.” Douglas Bernadt

Director: Douglas Bernardt
Artistic Director & Choreographer: Botis Seva
Dancers: Victoria Shulungu, Joshua Nash, Joshua Shanny–Wynter,
Jordan Douglas, Hayleigh Sellors, Rory Clarke, Amanda Pefkou
Executive Producers: Hannah Bellil, Lee Griffiths
Producer: Shea Coleman
Production Manager: Thomas Bergmann
DOP: Harry Wheeler
Production Designer: Carolina Emiliozzi
Co-Production Designer: Hugo Harris
Costume Designer: Neesha Champaneria
Editor: Lucas Moesch
Colourist: Osmar Junior
Graphic Design, Illustration & Animation: Daniel C. Ferro
VFX Supervisor: Juliano Storchi
Composer: Torben Sylvest
Sound Design: Pär Carlsson
Steadicam: Josh Brooks, Alex Kryszkiewicz, Daniel Cawthorne

Gaffer: Callum Collins, Peter Musgrave
Spark: Max Ashworth, Lewis Nicholls, Sam Cheal, Mike Pain, Alex Basham
Art Assistant: Daniel Lambert, Frankie King
Construction: Jasper Levine
Assistant Stylist: Anna May Sweasey
Makeup Artist: Sinead McGowan
Camera Van: Dimitri Topolov
Mini Bus Driver: Steve Oluwo
BTS Photographer: Joel Cottrell
Edit House: Final Cut New York
Edit Assistant: Kaylin Smida
VFX: Dopo
VFX Producer: Jacquelini Lima
VFX Editor: Luan Luiz
3D Artists: Wes Sousa, Eiti Sato.

A Sadler’s Wells commission with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. Supported by Garfield Weston

A greyscale image with a large staircase- silhouetted figures walk up the steps, there are eight in total
An image of Botis Seva - it is black and white. His hair is dark and short, his expression is thoughtful, his eyes are looking slightly down
An xray type image - hundreds of veins are connected together in what looks like an explosion or the inside of an eye
A figure has strings attached to him and is being controlled like a puppet, the strings link to large hands in either corner of the image
An image of Botis Seva - it is black and white. His hair is dark and short, his expression is, concerned. He is heading for a door, but looking back at the camera.
A figure is illuminated in the centre of the image - there is complete darkness surrounding it - its arms are raised
a huge staircase spreads across the image - the image is in greyscale and one lonely figure walks up
a figure walks up to a large abandoned building - like an aeroplane hanger. The sky is setting, an is a dusty blue like colour.
a figure stands in the middle of the image. Beams of light are spreading across the floor

A look behind the scenes

Beyond the Camera explores the collaborative process that sits at the heart of the Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, Motion Picture series. Go behind the scenes with Olivier award- winning Botis Seva and Brazilian director Douglas Bernardt, as they tell us about the creative synergy that has brought about this compelling film, Inside the Blind Iris.

CAN’T KILL US ALL

CAN'T KILL US ALL unravels one man’s mental unrest as he navigates the turbulence of dealing with two global pandemics.

A theatrical experience combining Hip Hop theatre and film from dance exprimentalist Botis Seva, CAN’T KILL US ALL reveals the detoriation of one man’s emotional sanity and physical stability as he confronts life in lockdown. From reflecting on childhood memories, to reliving Black trauma, CAN’T KILL US ALL pushes through the darkness to find light, humility and peace.

CAN’T KILL US ALL is a collaboration from 3 original voices working in Hip Hop theatre; dance artist Botis Seva, film maker Ben Williams and composer Torben Lars Sylvest.

Choreographer, Director & Performer Botis Seva
Composer Torben Lars Sylvest
Film Director & Editor Ben Williams
Producer Lee Griffiths
Production Assistant Ezra Owen & Jordan Douglas
Executive Producers Alistair Spalding and Bia Oliveira (Sadler’s Wells) and Fiona Morris (The Space)

With thanks to Boss Seva, Charlotte Clark, Iveta Mbeka and Shiloh Seva.

A Far From The Norm commission for CULTURE IN QUARANTINE, a partnership between Arts Council England, BBC and The Space.

A man is framed in the middle of the image, topless with a scarf over his face, tied around his neck
The camera is on the ceiling showing the same figure multiple times. One is on the side of his bed, one on the bed, another sitting with his legs off the bed and another facing the wall.
cant kill us all botis seva .jpeg
the camera is on the ceiling pointing downwards in a living room showing a topless figure led on wooden floor. He is surround by 2 sofas and a fireplace. He looks completely still.
Botis Seva is covered in blue light. He has no top on and is in the centre of the image. His eyes are closed and he looks up.
Botis Seva's face is lit with light in different types of shapes. The image is dark, and his face is neutral
Botis Seva sits on the sofa, his son Shiloh has his hands round his neck, hugging him from behind. His hand covers his face. Botis looks forward

REACH

Director Billy Boyd Cape collaborates with choreographer Botis Seva and his hip-hop theatre collective Far From The Norm in this emotional dance film. In the face of fatherhood and responsibility a man deserts his new-born child to find his own independence and freedom. 

On his journey the audience peers beyond his mind and into the battle of his soul as he deals with his determination, heartache and love. 

“I’m proud of the short film, it touches on something I care deeply about and I’m excited to share it” - Botis Seva

REACH was commissioned by Channel 4 Random Acts and Sadler’s Wells.

Written, directed & edited by Billy Boyd Cape
Choreographed & performed by Botis Seva
Featuring Far From The Norm's Jordan Douglas, Shangomola Edunjobi, Joshua Nash, Ezra Owen & featuring Shiloh Lee Seva

WINNER Best Screendance Film Under 10mins San Francisco Dance Film Festival October 2018
Official Entry Aesthetica Festival, York in November
Official Selection Dance Film Festival Prague 2019

Producer: Juliette Harris
Series Producer: Anne Beresford
Director of Photography: Molly Manning Walker
1st AD: Jack Meredith
Wardrobe: Katie McGoldrick
Music: The Bang Bang
Sound Design: Jack Hallett
Colourist: Oisin O’Driscoll
Production Manager: Antonia Vickers
Production Assistant: Katie Kennedy
Art Director: India Gillett
Make Up Artist: Millie Glenister
Steadicam: Doug Walshe
1st AC: Barney Batchelor
2nd AC: Victoria Harris

Gaffer: Matt Dickinson
DIT: Ben Worthington
Grip: Adrian Greenfield
Runners: Charlotte Long, Charlie Hoyal, Nina Porter
Commissioning Editor: Catherine Bray
Production Executive: Fiona Lamptey
Executive Producers for Sadler’s Wells: Eva Martinez, Alistair Spalding
Executive Producers for Academy Films: Lucy Gossage, Leah Joyce
Post-Production Services: The Mill
Post Producer at The Mill: Saphire Favell
Audio Producer at Factory Studios: Lucy Spong
Camera equipment supplied by: Movietech
Lighting equipment supplied by: Panalux
Very special thanks to: Lee Griffiths, Morgan Clement, Claire Sturgess, Mark Nicholson, and Wavevend

a man with short hair and a beard, topless holds his child who looks at the camera. His child is young, around 1 year old
Botis has black skin, short hair and a beard. His hands are crossed and rest on his shoulders. His eyes are closed. He stands outside, with a blurred tree behind
A man is in a trench coat, holding a large bag and looking to the camera. Behind him is a forest with leaves on the floor and trees all around.
five men stand in a studio smiling and looking at the camera.
In rehearsal, one man with short hair wearing tracksuit trousers bends his legs facing the left. Another person looks directly at him, with similar trousers but straight legs
A cream wall with green edging is in the background, and man in cream trousers and a white vest has his arms above his head and bends over his right side

A look behind the scenes