Songs of the Underworld

A dance film about ageing and loneliness by Nicola Hepp

Bittersweet, almost tangible remembrance is vividly portrayed by dancers Rolf Hepp (the director’s father), Martinette Janmaat (the director’s former teacher/mentor) and two young performers: Reggy Deekman and Célinne Moza. As the images of the older and the younger couple become more intertwined, we begin to understand that this story is not only about youth being lost.

Premiere: Cinedans Amsterdam, March 2016.
Thereafter, it was screened in many dance film festivals in Europe, USA, South America, and Asia.

Songs of the Underworld  won the 

• Best Experimental Award at the 2016 Underexposed Film Festival in Rock Hill (South Carolina), USA.
• Audience Choice Award 2016 at the Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema in Boulder County (Colorado), USA.
• Best Experimental Short Award at the Alternative Film Festival 2017 in Toronto, Canada.  
• Director’s Choice Award at the 2017 Utah Dance Film Festival, USA.

Dance: Rolf Hepp, Martinette Janmaat, Reggy Deekman, Célinne Moza
Choreography: Nicola Hepp
Cinematography: Chris Fawcett
Music: Lou Reed performed by Good Sounds and Daphne DeMuir
Direction: Nicola Hepp
Production: Sjouke Cappendijk, Mirjam Zwanenburg
Editing: Ad Rietvelt
Post production: Postoffice Amsterdam

Special thanks to Ad Rietvelt, Gemma Probst, Svenska Kyrkan Rotterdam, Good Sounds, Postoffice Amsterdam, Harald Beeker, Adnan Hasovic, Jordan Keslow, Jef Richaerts, Jurriaan Balhuizen, Bram Vleugel, Bram Buddingh, Tom van Hunen, Daphne Maierna, Iris Lammertsma, Lotta Magnusson, Marc Dahmen, Eva Willemijn de Zeeuw, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst and Nederlands Dans Theater.