Experimental dance film ‘To Hold My Love’ serves as a window to womanhood and vulnerability. Shifting between realities the film follows a series of personal journeys that converge as performers become one.

To Hold My Love merges dance with spoken word, music and fashion. It unravels the journeys of five dancers, who through their bodies and their language explore themes of women’s vulnerabilities, identity, self-expression, and body image. Split between dream and reality, the work serves as a window to womanhood. "To Hold My Love is fuelled by a harnessing of strength and solidarity, a sense of home forged in others" (expert from Georgia Howlett's review). The film features fashion pieces from Lynn La Young’s collection and is set to an original music score composed by Saber Rider. Originally conceived as a stage performance choreographed by Elettra Giunta for Resolution Festival 2022 at The Place Theatre, London. The film was brought to the screen with the help of director Adam Othman and cinematographer Will Hazell.

Director Elettra Giunta: Motivated by an urge to amplify women's voices and unveil the intricacies of their stories.  their vulnerabilities and strengths, the theme stems from personal experiences with body image and dysmorphia. Originally conceived for the stage, upon reviewing the footage, I felt compelled to transition the work to film. Intrigued by the potential of the camera lens to manipulate perspective and gaze, we sought to enable dancers to dictate their gaze and point it back at the audience whilst also utilizing the lens as a choreographic tool. One aspect I find challenging about theatre is the lack of control over the audience's attention, unlike in film where it can guide it more deliberately. As a first-time director, I appreciated the collaboration with Adam Othman, whose support was instrumental in realizing the vision for adapting this piece into a film.