Produced and Directed by internationally renowned documentarian Hamid Shams.
This 40 minute documentary explores Stephen Talasnik's drawings, sculpture, and site specific works. The film takes a look at the more current relationship of art making to conditions surrounded by the pandemic and how this period influenced the creative process.
We are informed of the influence of the artists' parents and in particular the songs of Gustav Mahler. Also addressed is the role his father had on the artists' mature work in sculpture, a process he began in the studio relatively later in life at the age of 45.
Hamid Shams has been a filmmaker for over 35 years, traveling the world and working on commercials, short and feature films, both narratives and documentaries, working with both large and small crews as well as on solo projects.
Hamid collaborated with Scottish director, Murray Grigor, on seven feature documentaries, including Infinite Space, The Architect of John Lautner and The Cellist - The Legacy of Gregor Piatigorsky.
Defying Gravity is his 3rd virtual film since the start of Pandemic in 2020. The Way Forward was made for Colburn School during the Spring of 2020 following with Land & Sky - The Inspiration of Tippet Rise, during the fall of 2020, where Hamid got to meet Stephen Talasnik for the first time.
View the film here