through the roots

Director - Danielle LeBlanc

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"through the roots" is a short dance film that explores the transformative power of memory, place, and identity. Inspired by choreographer Daria Titova’s personal history, the film serves as an ode to her grandfather and the rural land he cherished in Sokur, Russia — a place deeply imprinted on her sense of self. Returning to this landscape, together with the director Maria Ponomariova and cinematographer Ekaterina Smolina, Daria translates her connection to the land and its quiet strength into movement, embodying the connection with various nature elements, family heritage, and a feeling of belonging.

Using movement, evocative visual language, and rich sound design, through the roots invites the audience on a reflective journey, encouraging them to reconnect with their own roots and memories of childhood. It’s a journey back to the landscapes of our past, asking how we can reconnect with these spaces and appreciate the place where each of our paths began — no matter how far we may be now.

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Original Concept, Producer, Choreographer – Daria Titova | Director – Maria Ponomariova | Director Of Photography – Ekaterina Smolina | Performance – Daria Titova, Dmitry Titov | Editor – Sasha Putsyato | Composition – Ilya Dziahel, Tom Van Wee | Sound Design – Ilya Dziahel | Color Grading – Valentina Kryshova | Digital Clean-up – Egor Kolenichenko | Special Thanks To – Elena Titova, Svetlana Titova, Melvin Fraenk, Nicola Hepp, Yuriy Sergienko, Yuriy Morenov, Anton Veretennikov, Kristina Pavlova