In My Spirit I Am Free

Celine, a ballerina, dances for the first time since an injury.

Starring Stephanie Kim

Written and Directed by Mae Breazeale
Line Producer – Katie Royer
Producer – Pokey Spears

Choreographer – David Prottas
Music – Lu Cheng

DP – Michael Enos
1st AD – Yukimi Tateno
1st AC – Alan Dembek
2nd AC – Marlon Galdamez
Gaffer – Conor Soules
Key Grip – Jake Reardon
BB Electric – Joe Kosty
Sound Mixer – Patrick Baigrie

Production Design – Jordan Gray
Set PA – Eugene Ko
BTS Photographer – Alyssa Brocato

Editor – David Roy
Sound Designer – Patrick Baigrie
Color – Michael Enos

My love for ballet, music and film meet together in “In My Spirit I Am Free.” I wanted to showcase the battle that ballerinas go through when they get injured and can’t dance. Celine’s re-entry into dancing is met with fear and doubt, but as she finds herself in the music, so does her body, dancing freely and rediscovering herself in the process.

The push and pull of the strings in the music mimics the push and pull in her spirit; this was a key note I gave our composer Lu Cheng to work with. We watch Celine dance her way throughout her house, going from boxed-in narrow rooms and hallways to an open living room where she can release her whole body and soul, taking up space. In the final flourish, she finds courage, breaking down barriers of doubt and invigorating passion and purpose in her life.

Although I’ve never danced, let alone done ballet, going to shows and watching it has always been a beautiful and powerful experience for myself. There is an internal strength that ballerinas carry along with a deep intimacy. This film is an ode to them, and an ode to the ones who find freedom and meaning in dance and music.