Inspired by the experimental films of the 1930’s Parisian avant-garde and the work of Maya Deren, The Rehearsal documents a musical gathering which is interrupted by a series of surreal encounters between the heroine, Natalie Brettschneider, and various objects. Purporting to be made from found historical footage, the film was created by Evann Siebens and Carol Sawyer in response to Sawyer’s ongoing project The Natalie Brettschneider Archive, a series of photographs, texts, and music recitals, that together reconstruct the life and work of a (fictional) genre-blurring historical performance artist. Conceived, written and directed by Carol Sawyer and Evann Siebens. 16mm cinematography and editing by Evann Siebens, sound design by John Oliver. Starring Michael O’Connell, Carol Sawyer, and Neil Wedman. Lighting and production stills: Kate Henderson. Catering and preproduction assistance: Kathleen Taylor. Post production assistance: Pascale Théorét-Groulx.
Learn more about Evann Siebens’ work.
Learn more about John Oliver’s work.
Exhibition History
2017/2018 Carol Sawyer: The Natalie Brettschneider Archive. Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver BC. Curated by Bruce Grenville.
2016 The Natalie Brettschneider Archive. Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa ON. Curated by Heather Anderson.
2016 The Natalie Brettshneider Archive. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria BC. Curated by Michelle Jaques.