Dance On Film News talks to director Simon Dekker about one of the most exciting shorts screening at CCSDF in London 17th March 2005. Dance to This is a ballet film that features the innovative choreography and thrilling dance performance of Canada's alluring and gifted Sabrina Christine Matthews, as set to composer Douglas Schmidt's modern classical soundtrack.

This is the story of a toy ballerina's dream to dance, and features Mathews in a variety of urban landscapes, Rocky Mountains, and the Alberta Badlands. A moving meditation of power and beauty.

Dance On Film News This is the story of a toy ballerina's dream to dance, is a perfect opening concept. How did you open up the story?

Simon Dekker I open the film with an image of a crystal shere rolling toward camera and stopping, set to a 'jewellery box' soundtrack. This image is meant to bring the audience into a 'world' of imagining. I dissolve to the dancer in white make up and early 20th century ballet attire, and she moves precisely and mechanically, as if the dancer in a jewellery box. She is beautiful but sad, and we enter, through her, a dream of freedom, living and dancing in the real world.

Dance On Film News There seems a beautiful chemistry between the camera and Sabrina Christine Matthews. Had she choreographed for film previously?

Simon Dekker This was Sabrina's first choreography and performance specifically for camera. While I had to make a few adjustments to her choreography for cinematic reasons, Sabrina interpreted in her dance the story concept, and portrayed the characters and their realities wonderfully well. And though it's not apparent in the film, she performed in some very difficult conditions; barefoot on freezing grass, on hard packed sand in big winds, in back alleys and busy streets...

Dance On Film News The film was shot independently for $ 10,000 dollars, did you consider at any stage not using Super16 film?

Simon Dekker The film is about dreaming, so colour and texture were extremely important to me. Shooting on Super 16 provided the accuracy I needed, in addition to flexibility in post production. I had a short conversation with myself about shooting 35, but that was simply not possible within the budget.

Dance On Film News The film is beautifully shot by cinematographer Richard Garbutt, and musician Douglas Schmidt has composed a wonderful score. Had you worked with them previously?

Simon Dekker I had worked with Richard Garbutt in the commercial film world, but this was our first collaboration on a project from start to finish. I knew Richard had an appreciation of the arts, and was great fun on set, so he was a natural choice.This is my first project with composer Douglas Schmidt. I knew the film needed an innovative soundtrack, and Isobel Moore Rolston of The Banff Centre introduced me to Douglas's work. After listening to his CD's, I contacted Douglas about recording his compositions for my movie, and thankfully he agreed. The Banff Centre agreed to provide the facilities and engineers, so the results are superb.