BEHIND THESE PRETTY THINGS - 2025

“They shield me, they build me, they mold me into who I choose for you to see”

The idea for this film stems from my thoughts on consumerism. We live in a world where consumption is constantly pushed upon us and it can be marketed in a way that suggests our every need will be met by obtaining these materialisms. And because of this, I believe we as humans can sometimes view the materials we possess as a symbol of status and identify ourselves with those things.  In this case I made a film about a woman who is longing to free herself from using what she displays on the exterior to shield her authentic self. She’s experiencing emotional turmoil and instead of truly addressing that turmoil, overconsumption of clothing  is her vice she useses in attempt to fill this emotional void.

I love to use the body to tell a story, express emotion, and use it as the main subject within my film work.The dancing in this film represents the internal battle she is enduring.

Written, Directed & Filmed by Maya Bentley

Featuring, Choreographed & Narrated by Morgan McDaniel

Awakening - 2023

Movements that represent a sense of becoming new.

A depiction of a spiritual awakening, shedding of layers, and rising into a higher dimension of self. All that I felt while conceptualizing this project. To give my feelings a physical form, and use a body other than my own to translate those experiences and emotions delivered insight and gratitude. Translating emotions through movement has shown me that the body is the subject matter and means to producing art.

“The movement of bodies can embody the most abstract ideas”- (Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker)

-Filmed, Directed & Garment Design by Maya Bentley