Redirecting the Path of Clouds

Since childhood, clouds have captivated me—their shifting forms, freedom, and ability to take on new shapes. These natural phenomena stand in contrast to the rigidity of societal expectations, particularly those placed on women, like the constant pull of domestic duties. This film explores that dichotomy: the surreal and the mundane, the infinite possibilities of the sky and the fixed paths before us.

Taking on multiple roles in this project—filming, editing, and performing—allowed me to express this vision in a deeply personal way. I wanted the process to mirror the film’s themes, with each stage feeling like a balance between control and surrender, much like the metaphor of clouds I use throughout the work.

In each scene, clouds float through the mundane: washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning floors. These images are intertwined to emphasise the tension between a woman’s inner world—where the imagination and freedom of clouds roam—and the external expectations that shape her daily life. The question I pose—”Can we redirect the path of clouds?”—represents a larger inquiry: can we alter our lives, reshape our identities, or even reclaim the time spent on expected tasks?

Credits

A film by Tallulah
Soundtrack by Arliss Renwick

Thank to Lorna Boschman, Sebnem Ozpeta, Digital Stories Canada, DTES Small Arts program and the Vancouver Foundation.
The artist Tallulah is performing in a black dress with pink clouds overlaid.

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