ART WCD WF “Relâche – The Last Dance on Earth” – Kelly Jane Drummond Cawthon, Australia, 2025, 18’

Synopsis: From an island at the end of the earth comes an experimental homage to the 1924 René Clair short film Entr’acte, originally created for Erik Satie’s Dadaist ballet Relâche.

Relâche – The Last Dance on Earth was devised by Second Echo Ensemble (SEE), a Tasmanian arts organisation committed to radical equity, diversity, and visibility. The film was initially created as part of a performance work and blends absurdist themes with a bold exploration of life, mortality, and chaos. Shot on black-and-white 16mm film and hand-processed, this experimental work captures the spirit of early cinema, reimagined through the lens of contemporary Dadaism.

The 18-minute film follows a man who strikes a deal with Death to gain more time, setting off on a surreal journey through life’s riotous spectacle—its joys, chaos, and wars. In a desperate attempt to outrun fate, he confronts mortality, while the filmmaker voyeuristically attempts to escape it. Relâche embraces the absurd, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The film becomes a meditation on both the futility and beauty of resisting the inevitable, touching on themes of death, rebirth, and the endless cycle of existence.

Second Echo Ensemble, based in Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, is known for creating and presenting performances that challenge assumptions, amplify diverse voices, and foster human

connection through radical collaboration. Founded in 2005, SEE works with artists of all abilities, pushing boundaries and celebrating creativity in every form. This film was collaboratively developed by SEE’s artists, incorporating their unique perspectives, skills, and insights, resulting in a groundbreaking and inclusive work.

• Director: Kelly Jane Drummond Cawthon
• Writer: Jack Thomas Cawthon
• Producer: Sandi Sissel
• Key Cast: William Webster, Michael Fortescue