N25
When quality stems from simplicity
Directed by Valentina Khodnevich
Director Valentina Khodnevich shares her unique approach to exploring the moral complexities faced by dancers in the industry, blending commercial demands with artistic integrity. In a collaboration with dancer Leon Di Domenico, Khodnevich sheds light onto the casting process as well as her decision to film in black and white, offering a minimalist aesthetic that enhances the emotional impact.
Your films often explore the complexity of human behaviour with moral dilemmas. Did you apply this approach to N25?
Actually, I never thought of it regarding N25. As it is more of a video art film with the poetic style of storytelling. However, I could definitely say that we went into the moral idea of how dancers in the industry have to use their bodies in a commercial and arty way. Which sometimes makes it harder to stay true to yourself, as these two approaches are always competing with each other.
N25 seems to provide an intimate portrait of the dancer, Leon Di Domenico. Tell us about the casting process.
For this project I knew it would be Leon from the start as we started it as a collaboration. He is a truly talented and passionate artist who manages to work hard in the commercial world, but also has a very delicate soul dedicated to art. I think this is what I saw the potential in. Together with movement director Angelina from dance.film.performance we created an interesting story through choreography and frames.
Dance plays a central role in conveying the narrative in N25. Could you elaborate on the choreographic choices made in the film and how you believe dance serves as a unique storytelling medium in the cinematic context?
Well, I am a big fan of contemporary choreography as it sometimes sparks even more emotions in me than a highly emotional scene in a fiction film. First of all N25 is about a dancer and his body, that is why movements are everything we actually needed. We didn’t capture staged choreography as it all was improv on the day in front of the camera to focus on Leon and envision him within digital frames. By transforming all these movements into letters, I constructed words and sentences in my edit, using music and pace.
The decision to shoot N25 in black and white adds a unique aesthetic to the film. Can you share the creative considerations behind choosing this visual style and how it enhances the overall storytelling and emotional impact?
I used to shoot B&W at the beginning of my filmmaking experience, but then decided that it is too easy as most of the stuff in B & W is already beautiful and has its charm. So I have stopped and moved to colour. However, for N25 I decided to be very simple: simple set, just one dancer, close ups and medium shots, just two colours: black and white. Sometimes it feels that quality comes from simplicity.
“By transforming all these movements into letters, I constructed words and sentences in my edit, using music and pace.”
The film features a soundtrack by Georgian producer Shota Gogisvanidze. How did the collaboration with Shota come about, and how did the music complement the visual elements and contribute to the overall atmosphere of N25?
I met Shota around two years ago and realised he is a very talented musician. After a while, he asked me if I wanted to create visuals for his upcoming album, set to release in 2024. I found the idea very interesting, especially because I had plans to shoot a dance film (different one) around that time. After listening to a few almost finished songs, I chose one (which wasn't the one used in N25). However, when the idea for N25 came to my mind, I thought of another song from Shota's album, and it just clicked. I loved the rhythm and intro of the song; it felt like it was made for this project.
What are you working on next?
At the moment I’m in post-production for a dance film Sun that we shot on 16mm one month ago. Usually new projects and topics find me, but right now I'm planning a mixed media project where I want to work closely with photographer and research ways of developing film photography to put it into a short video project. Not much to say at the moment but you will see!
Director: Valentina Khodnevich
Producer: Valentina Khodnevich
Key Cast"Dancer": Leon Di Domenico
Director of Photography: Marti Guiver