When you push too far, what breaks first – the body or the bond?

Synopsis

A young ballet dancer struggles to balance friendship, ambition and emotional pressure as she trains under an unrelenting instructor - and begins to lose sight of where dance ends and she begins.

Story

Renee is a young ballet dancer pushing herself to reach new heights under the instruction of a strict, emotionally distant teacher. As rehearsals intensify, she becomes increasingly isolated from her friend - someone who once offered her warmth, humour and stability. The film traces Renee's quiet unraveling as the pressure to succeed eclipses her sense of self. Shot on location in Sydney, My Sweet Torment draws from the lived experience of its cast and collaborators. It explores the fine line between discipline and damage - and how easily ambition can turn into obsession when we no longer feel what we're dancing for.

Background

Directed by Sarah Chambers, who brings her own experience as a dancer and teacher to the story, and performed by Renae Rufus, a dancer herself, the film captures a raw and familiar emotional terrain. Filmed in a mix of domestic and institutional spaces, the production was shaped collaboratively by a small team of emerging filmmakers.

Screenings

My Sweet Torment is currently awaiting its festival premiere.

Acknowledgements

This film was created in collaboration with Sarah Chambers and supported by Macquarie University.

We thank Alex Ryan, Tom Benson, Mike Baber and Iqbal Barkat for their generous support, and More to the Pointe for providing the pointe shoes.

Thank you to all our donors, both through the Australian Cultural Fund and independently, including Jiuncze Seet, Susanna McQueen, Lachlan Salvestro, Dale Barrett, Roger and Sue Chambers, and those who chose to remain anonymous.

We’re also grateful to Hannah-Maree Finch for opening her home to us, and to the Macquarie University Sports and Aquatics Centre for use of the studio space.