In this final episode of FORMidables, we hear from two artists who have embraced dance film as a most inspiring creative practice, offering infinite possibilities of approaching dance as a subject of viewing. They offer a masterclass in “just doing it”, whilst giving precious advice to their younger selves and sharing striking insights in Western Sydney’s unique character. You’ll be left in no doubt that living a creative life is priceless. HOSTPOLA FANOUS GUESTSMELISSA RAMOSCANDY PARK EDITORVIR KAULA MUSIC THEMEALI SAGANCI ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK Cheongchun Soundtrack (courtesy of Candy Park) &nb ..read more

Diving deep in their personal stories, Molonai Makalio and Lawrencea Mateariki openheartedly share their Polynesian culture and how dance has been a healing force in their life journey growing up in Western Sydney. Makalio reveals his inspiration behind his new work, STEP, at the intersection of hip hop, rugby and war dances. Mateariki explores how performing in ENCOUNTER directed by Emma Saunders led her to integrate her Cook Island dance practice with pedestrian dance. HOSTPOLA FANOUS GUESTSMOLONAI MAKALIOLAWRENCEA MATEARIKI EDITORVIR KAULA MUSIC THEMEALI SAGANCI ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK BLKB3RY ..read more

In this meditative episode, Murasaki Penguin co-founder and multidisciplinary choreographer Anna Kuroda with charismatic dance artist Ryuichi Fujimura share their love of performance and the joy of connecting with an audience. Their distinct paths to becoming a professional dancer tell us that there is no one way of building a career and that it’s never too late to give it a go. HOSTPOLA FANOUS GUESTSANNA KURODARYUICHI FUJIMURA EDITORVIR KAULA MUSIC THEMEALI SAGANCI Pola Fanous is a young poet and performing artist from Western Sydney. An Egyptian-born immigrant, at age 21 Pola is a prominent ..read more

Enter the worlds of Braveheart and Riverdance! With remarkable honesty and humility in view of their international achievements, two-time Irish dance world champion, Liam Costello, contemporary Highland dancer and emerging choreographer Sabrina Muszynski, with leading  Irish and tap dancer, Peta Anderson, share the highs and lows of competitive “sports” that have taken them from the NSW  Northern Rivers to Edinburgh, Western Sydney to London and New York. HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS LIAM COSTELLO PETA ANDERSON  SABRINA MUSZYNSKI EDITOR VIR KAULA MUSIC THEME ALI SAGANCI Liam Costello ..read more

What is Hip Hop? Australian B-Boy pioneer Nick Power, joined by Jack Wardana aka Poppin’Jack of Stale Biskitz and Booyakasha member Alice Tauv aka Arisse openly share their strong sense of belonging to the Hip Hop community. Leaders in their own right, they take us through the roots of this “universal unifier” and the roads they travelled to find their own distinct artistic voices, from the Tanami Desert to Paris, the Inner West to Western Sydney where Sydney’s Hip Hop heart beats the loudest.   HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS ALICE TAUV JACK WARDANA NICK POWER   EDITOR VIR KAULA MUSIC THEME ..read more

Two of the most treasured voices of Australian independent contemporary dance disclose with courage and humour the story behind their relationship and common belief in the artist’s responsibility to ask the hard questions. Their provocative and generous conversation makes compulsory listening for anyone interrogating the current cultural parameters, indigenous and non-indigenous, framing contemporary art making in a multicultural society. Vicki Van Hout and Raghav Handa open doors to genuine dialogue and remind us that dance is a language for all.    HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS RAGHAV HA ..read more

Tuesday 6 October and Wednesday 7 October 2020 In January 2020, in the heat and smoke of last summer’s devastating Australian bushfires, 16 dancers from Bega to Parramatta, joined by 48 young Western Sydney musicians, performed in Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta as part of the Sydney festival 2020. ENCOUNTER was a work of joy. In this episode, ENCOUNTER speaker and FORMidables host Pola Fanous shares the experience of making ENCOUNTER with its director, Emma Saunders. First joined by writer Felicity Castagna, they explore the nexus between dance, text and performance in the context of creat ..read more

Bharatanatyam artists, Aruthy Kumanan from Western Sydney and Indian-born choreographer, performer and educator Aruna Gandhi expertly distill what makes this South Indian classical dance such a fascinating art form anchored in tradition and spirituality. Dispelling Youtube and Bollywood myths, both artists will make you want for more!    HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS ARUNA GANDHI ARUTHY KUMANAN EDITOR VIR KAULA MUSIC THEME ALI SAGANCI Original soundtracks  In order of listening Kanthanin Karunai Arjunan Puveendran (composer) P. Arunachalam (Original Lyrics) (courtesy of Aruthy Kumanan ..read more

HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS LUCKY LARTEY  AZZAM MOHAMED EDITOR VIR KAULA MUSIC THEME ALI SAGANCI Original soundtracks  BYRON MARK  (Full Circle intro soundtrack) AZZAM MOHAMED  (Chief Rockaz -Squad)  ..read more

HOST POLA FANOUS GUESTS PEPA MOLINA ELIZA COOPER EDITOR VIR KAULA MUSIC THEME ALI SAGANCI Original soundtracks  JESUS MAñERU  (Perceptions “Paisajes costumbristas / Costumbrist Landscapes”) MASON PERONCHIK  (Old life/Dead Life “Into the Mirror”)  ..read more