Dance of the Puppets explores the transformation of democracy as ‘alternative facts’ and outlandish acts populate the political landscape. Through sardonic interactions, blunt physicality, and a brutally humorous text, the work exposes the alarming possibilities that arise as governments, concentrated wealth, and surveillance technologies join forces. A droplet of intelligence here, a hint of a shadowy figure, and we are all marionettes, putty in the puppet master’s hands.

The film is directed/edited by Melanie Kloetzel with camera work by Kevin Leiver. Winner of a ‘Best Cast’ award from Toronto’s Alternative Film Festival and nominated for a Best Story/Message award from MarDelDance Film Festival, the work has also been selected for screening through EnCore: Dance on Film in Atlanta, Georgia, the Dallas Dance Film Festival in Texas, the Film Collective in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Desert Edge Global Film Festival in Andore, India, and for Kinetoscope International Screendance Film Festival in Missoula, Montana.

This film short is based on the stage and site works, It began with watching and MEN in charge, as seen under the ‘On Site’ and ‘On Stage’ pages. It was filmed on-site at Edmonton City Hall.

Dance of the Puppets also functions as a trailer for the upcoming feature film MEN in charge, that offers a complete documentary of the creative process of making It began with watching.