The Anatomy of Heroes

ŻfinMalta National Dance Company Mortal Heroes Sita Ostheimer, Photograph by Camille Fenech

14 May The Anatomy of Heroes

Posted at 16:20h in Blog by Emma Walker

Inside the studio with Sita Ostheimer as she creates a brand new full-length work for ŻfinMalta:

For those who were unable to attend our recent open rehearsal with Sita Ostheimer, you can now delve into the conceptual and emotional landscape of the piece, as articulated by the choreographer herself, and with reflections by the performing artists of ŻfinMalta who will bring the work to life on stage next weekend.

In this exclusive conversation, Ostheimer reflects on the inspirations, artistic vision, and choreographic process behind Mortal Heroes, her new work premiering on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of May. Immerse yourself in this in-depth interview, and explore the intentions and collaborative dynamics that are shaping this compelling addition to ŻfinMalta’s repertoire.

How do you approach creating movement, especially with a new group of dancers who may not be familiar with your process or movement vocabulary?

For me, movement must originate from the individual—from a neutral human state—before transitioning into motion. That’s why I emphasise returning to the body first, rather than immediately adopting a predetermined form that we think is required as dancers.

Sita Ostheimer in rehearsal with Pearl Calleja | Photograph by Camille Fenech

“Everything happens in the moment. The piece unfolds right in front of me, and honestly, I don’t know where it will end or what’s coming next. It’s shaped by the atmosphere in the room, by how this particular group works together, by the feeling of the music, the specific place we’re in, and the theme of Mortal Heroes. So yes, there’s a structure we’re working from—but how it actually turns out, I never know at the start.”

“When I enter a new space, my priority is to bring everyone in—to ensure full involvement with joy, curiosity, and genuine engagement. That’s essential for this specific physical process. Without full hearted participation, the work cannot truly speak its own language.”

Sita Ostheimer is joined by an incredible group of regular artistic collaborators for the creation of Mortal Heroes, including lighting designer Barnaby Booth and composer Adrien Casalis, both of whom have an in-depth understanding of her process.

At what points in the creative process do you usually engage with these collaborators?

“For me, the process usually begins with the composer. Most of the time, the music is already finished before I enter the studio, and it becomes the base for the next step, working with the bodies. Then, at the end, comes the light. So it starts from the ground with the music, moves into the body, and finally, the bodies move into the light.”

Lidia Caricasole in rehearsal for Mortal Heroes | Photograph by Camille Fenech

It starts from the ground with the music, moves into the body, and finally, the bodies move into the light.

This is the kind of work that you get sucked into right away. I've seen some of Sita's work, and how she works with lights, with music... she really creates an environment where you're in it from beginning to end.

Lotte La Haye, Company Dancer

Mortal Heroes is the first creation process for a full length work this season. Our audience was curious about how the dancers have been embodying the physicality of Sita’s work, and how they are keeping up with the intensity of rehearsals…

It’s very physical and demanding. It requires a lot of strength in the body to keep pushing, but at the same time, there’s another side of the coin, another quality that Sita is asking us to explore: If you sit down on a sofa, you would just collapse into it, you wouldn’t hold yourself. It’s a weird mix of letting the natural weight of the body, the pelvis, and the spine respond naturally, but at the same time having that strength behind it that keeps it going. It’s really interesting and I think so far we haven’t generally done anything like that. It takes a while to get into it, and we’re still in the process of understanding.

Mario Manara, Company Dancer

Amber Van Veen and Lotte La Haye in rehearsal for Mortal Heroes | Photograph by Camille Fenech

Right now, we're working on finding the emotion, or what we’re feeling in each moment. Performing this work, it’s almost like you’re passing through life or passing through a movie.

Amber Van Veen, Company Dancer

Mortal Heroes promises to be a powerful and moving addition to ŻfinMalta’s repertoire and 2024–25 season. We invite you to experience Mortal Heroes at Teatru Manoel on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of May. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Sita Ostheimer’s compelling new creation performed by ŻfinMalta’s exceptional company of dancers.

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14 May The Anatomy of Heroes

Inside the studio with Sita Ostheimer as she creates a brand new full-length work for ŻfinMalta:

How do you approach creating movement, especially with a new group of dancers who may not be familiar with your process or movement vocabulary?

For me, movement must originate from the individual—from a neutral human state—before transitioning into motion. That’s why I emphasise returning to the body first, rather than immediately adopting a predetermined form that we think is required as dancers.

Sita Ostheimer is joined by an incredible group of regular artistic collaborators for the creation of Mortal Heroes, including lighting designer Barnaby Booth and composer Adrien Casalis, both of whom have an in-depth understanding of her process.

At what points in the creative process do you usually engage with these collaborators?

It starts from the ground with the music, moves into the body, and finally, the bodies move into the light.

This is the kind of work that you get sucked into right away. I've seen some of Sita's work, and how she works with lights, with music... she really creates an environment where you're in it from beginning to end.

Lotte La Haye, Company Dancer

Mortal Heroes is the first creation process for a full length work this season. Our audience was curious about how the dancers have been embodying the physicality of Sita’s work, and how they are keeping up with the intensity of rehearsals…

Right now, we're working on finding the emotion, or what we’re feeling in each moment. Performing this work, it’s almost like you’re passing through life or passing through a movie.

Amber Van Veen, Company Dancer

14 May The Anatomy of Heroes

Inside the studio with Sita Ostheimer as she creates a brand new full-length work for ŻfinMalta:

How do you approach creating movement, especially with a new group of dancers who may not be familiar with your process or movement vocabulary?

For me, movement must originate from the individual—from a neutral human state—before transitioning into motion. That’s why I emphasise returning to the body first, rather than immediately adopting a predetermined form that we think is required as dancers.

Sita Ostheimer is joined by an incredible group of regular artistic collaborators for the creation of Mortal Heroes, including lighting designer Barnaby Booth and composer Adrien Casalis, both of whom have an in-depth understanding of her process.

At what points in the creative process do you usually engage with these collaborators?

It starts from the ground with the music, moves into the body, and finally, the bodies move into the light.

This is the kind of work that you get sucked into right away. I've seen some of Sita's work, and how she works with lights, with music... she really creates an environment where you're in it from beginning to end. Lotte La Haye, Company Dancer

Mortal Heroes is the first creation process for a full length work this season. Our audience was curious about how the dancers have been embodying the physicality of Sita’s work, and how they are keeping up with the intensity of rehearsals…

Right now, we're working on finding the emotion, or what we’re feeling in each moment. Performing this work, it’s almost like you’re passing through life or passing through a movie. Amber Van Veen, Company Dancer

This is the kind of work that you get sucked into right away. I've seen some of Sita's work, and how she works with lights, with music... she really creates an environment where you're in it from beginning to end.

Lotte La Haye, Company Dancer

Right now, we're working on finding the emotion, or what we’re feeling in each moment. Performing this work, it’s almost like you’re passing through life or passing through a movie.

Amber Van Veen, Company Dancer