BEHIND THESE PRETTY THINGS - 2025

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

A film about a woman who comes to terms with her inner struggles - longing to free herself from using what she displays on the exterior to bury true self. Overconsumption of material goods has created a false sense of self and a spiraling of the ego. Movements and dialog in this film brings light to the inner battle endured. This film is not only inspired by personal experiences, but I felt this story can relay to society regarding the negative side of consumerism. We live to spend and spend to live - over consumption of goods is constantly forced upon us. I believe the constant desire and an excessive possession of materialisms can stem from a lack of emotional awareness and serves as a copping mechanism for confronting internal issues that are refused to be addressed.

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