If You Leave

If You Leave
Written By Ming-Bo Lam

If You Leave premiered at the Toronto International Short Film Festival (2016) & was also showcased at the Utah Dance Film Festival (2017)

Robert Pilichowski & I collaborated on a little project that stemmed from the need to just get in a space & feed our souls. Inspired by the song "I Run to You" by Missio, we spent a day doing just that. This is the result.​

If You Leave is a short contemporary dance film about a woman's relentless devotion and loyalty to a partner who is no longer a part of her life. An industrial warehouse space filled with an atmosphere of nostalgia sets the stage. Amidst a thick layer of smoke a woman appears. Her lover has left a gaping void in her life. She stands alone, left only with her thoughts, the gravity of her situation is palpable. Her movements fluid and subtle at times are drastically contrasted with emotionally charged moments and bursts of energy. Overwhelmed with passion her body eventually crumbles to the ground. Although physically spent, her mind still lingers, never really letting go.

HUGE LOVE to everyone who made that day what it was; this little film what it is. Couldn't have done it without you XO

Director / Cinematographer / Editor Robert Pilichowski
Choreographer / Dancer [me!]
Camera Assistant & Sound / Jack Weisman
Hair & Makeup / Brooke Palsson
Production Assistant / Jessamine Fok / Fernando Garcia
Color House / alter ego
Colorist / Clinton Homuth
Sound Mix / Tyson Kuteyi
Location / Clay & Paper Theatre
Music / Missio - "I Run To You"

PS Extra thanks to Missio for permission to use their beautiful track I Run to You.

Ming-Bo Lam

MING-BO LAM is known, first and foremost, for her love of dance and ability to share that passion with all whom she encounters. Her choreography is rooted in her classical foundations and guided by strong internal dialogue and emotional undertones.

​Lam graduated with an Honours BFA in Theatre Performance Dance, from Ryerson University, as Valedictorian.

Since graduating, she has crossed the line between classical dance genres and the commercial industry, choreographing for theatre productions (SeXT: Sex Education by Theatre; Mixie and the Halfbreeds, produced by fu-GEN Theatre Company) and independent dance projects and commissions (Soulpepper Theatre's Shen Development Series; The Garage; Dancestreams Youth Dance Company).

Select performance credits include the Much Music Video Awards, the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak, The Umbrella Academy, Sogand, PSY, and the NBA All Star Weekend 2016.​

Currently, Lam works as a freelance dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, and educator. She is also the co-founder of OAYSIS Studios: holistic movement lifestyle, offering online classes in dance, yoga, fitness, and meditation.

https://www.mingbolam.com
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