a sigh of origin, set within the imagined psyche of a person coming to the end of their life, the film unfolds as a non-linear, emotionally layered journey. Directed and choreographed by Katherine Maxwell, this intimate, layered piece unfolds within the imagined psyche of a lifetime. Ten dancers become the embodiment of shifting memories, fragmented identities, and emotional echoes. a sigh of origin invites the viewer to experience memory through a kaleidoscopic lens of both emotion and clarity. 

The work was inspired by time the director shared with her grandmother, who lived with dementia. Through this lens, the film explores how memory lives in the body beyond the reaches of the thinking mind. Using gesture, spatial texture, and repetition, a sigh of origin invites viewers to experience memory through sensation rather than sequence, a kaleidoscopic portrait of consciousness.

Writer/Director/Choreographer- Katherine Maxwell
Director of Photography- Taylor Antisdel
Executive Producer- Julia Lourie
Assistant Director- Lauren Fondren
Producers- Lauren Fondren, Caitlin Adams, Stephanie Schramm, Gillian Halbreich, Robyn Ayers
Production Designer- Leo Johnson
Costume Design- Caitlin Taylor
Hair & Make-up- Chris Tabassi
Camera Operator- Alex Hass
1st Assistant Camera - Will Armstrong, Derek Kelly
Gaffer- Guillaume Caron, Glenn Brown, Eli Freieich
Key Grip- Glenn Brown, Caiya Sanchez-Strauss, John Valle
Dolly Grip- Jacob Krupnick
Sound- Adonis Gonzalez, Vivien Shaw
Sound Equipment Provided by- Alan Kudan
Picture Vehicle- Tom Crenshaw
Photography- Travis Emery Hackett, Birgit Buchart
Production Assistant- Tim Lasalle, Felix Bryan, Xenia Mansour, Ragin Smith, Morgan Harms, Robyn Ayers, Claire Goldes
Location Manager- Derek Kelly, Martha Salem, Evan Leasca, Rocco Duranti
Chef- Lynn Paulus
Editor- Nick Noyes, Katherine Maxwell, Taylor Antisdel
Sound Composition- Paul maxwell, Jordan Rapaport
ADDITIONAL MUSIC- Lorn- Bitter Arcs, Courtesy of Wednesday Sound
TRAILER MUSIC-LORN- Yo2 _ Rustlin, Wednesday Sound
Supervising Sound Editor / Re-Recording Mixer- Vinny Alfano
Sound Effects Editor / Foley Artist - Andrew Mastronardi
Audio Post Production by Clever People Co & Parabolic
Colorist- David Torcivia
Locations- Salem Cross Inn, International House, Wildwood, The Breeze, SuperFresh

Made with support from: The NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre by the City of New York Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment in association with The New York Foundation for the Arts

‘a sigh of origin’ is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.”

a sigh of origin is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

a sigh of origin is made with support from a Production Grant from the Dance Films Association