Choreographer, director and CalArts alumna Meryl Murman (Dance-IM MFA 14) is bringing her CalArts MFA thesis “Ways of Forgetting” to the screen with the help of CalArtian collaborators.

“Ways of Forgetting” is a dance film that “reflects on the ways we try (and sometimes fail) to connect with each other in contemporary society. It follows the whacky and whimsical imaginations of seven individuals on a quest to become un-lonely, all told through wild and original dance and song.”

“I create at the intersection of cinema and performance,” says Murman of her work, adding that she is “inclined toward that which is messy, fragile and chaotic.”

“Ways of Forgetting” premiered as a dance work in 2014 at CalArts and involved students from several different schools, making it a truly integrated cross disciplinary experience.

The 2017 film adaptation features performances by Jake Harkey (Dance BFA 15), Yanina Orellana (Dance BFA 15), Olivia Rush (Dance BFA 14), Julian Martinez (Dance BFA 16), Alan Perez (Dance BFA 16) and Ryan Masson (Theater MFA 15), with a new score by musicians Naomi Greene (Music MFA 14), Devon Taylor (Music BFA 15), Amir Oosman (Music BFA 15) and Mochi Robinson (Music 15).

Murman’s work has been presented at the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans and at Kunstquartier Bethanian in Berlin, Germany. Her short film “le Pain” won the Audience Choice Award at East End Film Festival and Best Editing at the Madrid International Film Festival.