'ОДА' - a new dance film by Daria Titova

Help me realize "ОДА" - a dance film ode to Home. Donate now!

About "ОДА"

“ОДА” working title ("oda" - from russian - an ode) is a short dance film that serves as a literal ode to Home. It is inspired by my grandfather, who had a deep connection with the land and all living beings around him. This project is my way of honoring him, his legacy, and the special place he called home. Through the film, I want to explore how our roots and the places where we start our lives shape who we become.

For me that place is a small piece of land next to Sokur - a tiny village in the Tatishchevsky district of the Saratov region of Russia. It's where my grandfather had his small house and a bee farm. I wasn't literally born there, but it is one of the first places I remember. As a little girl, I used to spend every summer there and memories of that time have a big impact on who I am today. “ОДА” will be filmed directly on the exact same location in July this year.

Who am I?

My name is Daria Titova. I am a freelance dance artist from Russia based in the Netherlands for more than 5 years. I graduated as a Bachelor of Dance from ArtEZ University of Arts in 2022 and since then work and collaborate with different choreographers and companies such as Cecilia Moisio, Maas Theater en Dans, BonteHond, DOX, MENSJA and many others.
Let's connect!
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My relationship with my homeland has evolved over the years, especially since I moved abroad for the first time in 2017 and even more so since the beginning of the war in February 2022. I've been thinking a lot about the difference between the terms “ home,” “homeland,” and “home country” and how I relate to them.

I started this project in order to deepen my connection with a place where I come from. I believe that it will serve as a profound exploration, allowing me to understand myself better - both as an artist and as an individual. After all, the tree is only as strong as its roots .

In today's world so many people are on the move, whether as immigrants, expats, or refugees. We move in search of a better life, better education or simply safety. We become rootless. The word “home”, topics of identity and belonging have become extremely important. I know I am not the only one asking these questions.
With "ОДА," I hope to invite people from all backgrounds to think about their own roots and take a moment to appreciate the place where their journeys began, no matter how far away they may be now.

Building bridges
Your financial support will help me to pay the filmmaker, composer and costume designer for their work on this project. "ОДА" is brought to life by an international team both from Russia and the Netherlands. By creating projects like this I hope to build more and more bridges for collaborations between artists from non-EU and European countries.

I use crowdfunding to reach out to the international community and to ask for support independent from the systematic conditions that might reject to support a project connected to Russia due to the political sensitivity. To me this project isn't about politics, it is about a story that is human and universal. Your support isn't just about funding a film; it's about affirming the power of empathy, understanding, and connection in a world that often feels fragmented.

Thank you so much for considering supporting "ОДА" and being part of my journey!