The Rehearsal, 2016

Inspired by the experimental films of the 1930s Parisian avant-garde and the work of Maya Deren, The Rehearsal documents a musical gathering which is interrupted by a series of surreal encounters. Purporting to be made from found historical footage, the film is a response to Sawyer’s project The Natalie Brettschneider Archive, a feminist critique of art historical conventions. Natalie Brettschneider is a stand-in for all of the female artists who have slipped through the gaps of history only to languish in obscurity, gain notoriety as models of male artists, or perhaps, be ‘rediscovered’ in a provocative and funny 16mm film.

Conceived, written and directed by Evann Siebens and Carol Sawyer
16mm cinematography and editing by Evann Siebens
Sound design by John Oliver
Starring Michael O’Connell, Carol Sawyer, and Neil Wedman
Lighting and production stills: Kate Henderson
Pre-production assistance: Kathleen Taylor
Post production assistance: Pascale Théorét-Groulx

11 minutes long

EXHIBITIONS + SCREENINGS

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
The Natalie Brettschneider Archive
curated by Bruce Grenville
Vancouver, Canada
October 2017

CARLTON UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
The Natalie Brettschneider Archive
curated by Heather Anderson
Ottawa, Canada
January 2016

ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA
The Natalie Brettschneider Archive
curated by Michele Jacques
Victoria, Canada
October 2016