“Ammonia” is a dance film inspired by the work of Pina Bausch, exploring the hidden power dynamics within society. Directed by Joe Connor and choreographed by Emma Farnell-Watson and Kieran Lai, the film follows two hotel housekeepers as they sift through the possessions left in a messy suite. As they interact with the space, their movements reflect how objects can influence character, status, and physicality. Through dance, the film surfaces questions about visibility, roles, and the boundaries we move within.
“Ammonia” received the 2025 SFDFF Award for Set/Production Design. Rather than relying on natural landscapes, the film constructs an interior world that directly interacts with its performers, embodying a rare synthesis of movement and environment that could only exist through cinematic design. The jurors agreed that the film’s elements — from props to layered textures — reflected intentional, thoughtful artistic choices that go beyond aesthetic display to serve as a vehicle for exceptional storytelling.
