An intimate and uplifting dance documentary that ponders human connection and perfection, featuring Chunky Move and Restless Dance Theatre.

Chunky Move is an acclaimed contemporary dance company; Restless Dance Theatre is a groundbreaking troupe of disabled dancers. What happens when you bring these two Australian ensembles together? Six dancers are asked to develop a brand-new work that will take them from their Adelaide homes to Melbourne and then the UK. In the process, Jianna Georgiou, Michael Hodyl, Charlie Wilkins, Benjamin Hancock, Darcy Carpenter and Cody Lavery must carve out a collaborative movement language – a task that sees them contemplate group dynamics and society’s pursuit of excellence.

Rhys Graham (Galore, MIFF 2013) expands on the groundwork laid in his dance-based short film Multiply (MIFF 2021) with this invigorating and boldly cinematic feature documentary. As well as a tribute to the two world-class companies at its core, the film is also a remarkable insight into the world of artists: its subjects generously reflect on practice and performance, and sometimes even break into dreamlike choreographic sequences. Rewards for the Tribe is at once a celebration and a revelation of kinetic expression and harmony.

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Director Rhys Graham is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance at both in-cinema sessions of the film. He will also appear in Documenting Fact & Fiction: Trust Issues on Tuesday 20 August.