Defying Gravity

Produced and Directed by internationally renowned documentarian Hamid Shams with original music composed and performed by Dominic Cheli.

This 40 minute documentary explores Stephen Talasnik's drawings, sculpture, and site specific works. The film takes a look at the more current relationship of art making to conditions surrounded by the pandemic and how this period influenced the creative process.

We are informed of the influence of the artists' parents and in particular the songs of Gustav Mahler. Also addressed is the role his father had on the artists' mature work in sculpture, a process he began in the studio relatively later in life at the age of 45.

Hamid Shams has been a filmmaker for over 35 years, traveling the world and working on commercials, short and feature films, both narratives and documentaries, working with both large and small crews as well as on solo projects.

Hamid collaborated with Scottish director, Murray Grigor, on seven feature documentaries, including Infinite Space, The Architect of John Lautner and The Cellist - The Legacy of Gregor Piatigorsky.