Outfest 2018 - Juck [Thrust]
This documentary chronicles the all-female dance group JUCK and their signature mega-thrust that went viral around the world as a symbol of empowerment and resistance.
Interview with Writer/Director Olivia Kastebring
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We made JUCK because it was needed for us, as individuals, and for the world in general. To see Juck perform empowered us, inspired us, and we wanted others to see and experience that. The magic with the dance group Juck lays within the experience, so we knew from the beginning that we didn’t want do the classic documentary-style of “we started in 2013...our purpose is...”. We wanted to show rather than explain. We wanted to give the audience space for their own reflections. That’s the reason for the docu-experimental format.
I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
We want the audience to reflect upon what they see, how they feel. What emotions evokes and why? Are you intimidated? Do you feel curious? Are you provoked? Are you empowered? What do you understand? What don't you understand? Why do you think you are provoked or empowered? What do you think is behind your feelings and what structures do you think is behind it? What is your view on femininity? Have you ever felt restricted in what to be?
You can also watch it simply if you want to see unapologetic women who dance take up space in the public sphere and on the movie screen.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
These themes always work together. We think it’s impossible to make a film with a personal theme without touching something universal and vice versa. This film started out of inspiration and empowerment, and dug deeper into our own thoughts about femininity, gender and sexuality. Claiming space. Subject vs. object.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We have done an ambitious work of research and interviews with all members of Juck. We collected these interviews and based the script and editing on them. Everything arose from this collection of voices. The interviews became the voice over in the film. We three film makers come from different backgrounds so we have been able to learn from each other and really bring different things to the table.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We've had mostly positive reactions so far. People want to know more. People want to try out thrusting themselves. People cry, and people are happy and thankful. It's empowerment. There are also people (mainly men) who don’t understand, or feel provoked or threatened.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, not at all. We think all reactions are good reactions if it can lead to a conversation or a reflection about the questions above. Film and culture are very good tools for that.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To reach even wider audiences and to create new discussions and reflections around these topics.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone who wants or thinks it’s important is welcome. We would love for a big TV network to buy this film so that we can reach audiences beyond the festival sphere!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want everyone who feels discriminated or mistreated to hump away all bad things and feel better. Imagine a worldwide army of "humpers" taking no shit and spreading love! Also. we want Beyonce to see it so she hires Juck for her next thing!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is femininity?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Two new projects on the rise! Check out Olivia’s feature documentary SILVANA which is on the same theme about a Swedish rapper.
Interview: July 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
JUCK [THRUST]
This documentary chronicles the all-female dance group JUCK and their signature mega-thrust that went viral around the world as a symbol of empowerment and resistance.
Length: 17:30
Director: Olivia Kastebring
Co-directors: Julia Gumpert, Ulrika Bandeira
Producer: Dea Saracevic
Writer: Olivia Kastebring, Julia Gumpert, Ulrika Bandeira
About the writer, director and producer:
OLIVIA KASTEBRING is Swedish director mainly focusing on documentaries. She seeks to create a greater diversity of female representation in film.
JULIA GUMPERT is an actor specializing in physical expressions. This is her debut as a director.
ULRIKA BANDEIRA is a culture producer and artistic director. She recently created two interactive performance pieces THE SETTING OF DESIRE and INVITATIONS based on the own concept ‘cinemaoke’.
Key cast: JUCK
Looking for: buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Funders: the Swedish Film Institute, Swedish Television
Where will it screen next: Sarajevo Film Festival, Hawaii Film Festival, and others.