Crones explores ageism (and internalized ageism) through the lens of three diverse characters – An ensemble of a Bollywood Seniors Dance Class, a Cabaret Performer in her 60’s, and an Amateur Dance Student in her 70’s. Against a backdrop of the vibrant world of Bollywood and the independent theatre scene in Melbourne, these women pursue fulfillment, inspiring change in our limiting perceptions of older women.
The ensemble of the Bollywood Seniors dance class considers the idea of the Crone - a concept that has been distorted over time but which, in fact, symbolizes the wise woman. The colorful world of Bollywood serves as the backdrop to conversations about aging, embracing fear & the uplifting power of community.
Karin Kuusk, 71, is a student of Chaggar’s Bollywood dance class for seniors and fondly deemed the dancing queen of her family, Karin has dreamed of visiting the Taj Mahal ever since she was a child. In Karin’s own words: “It’s just symbolic. Something to dream about, to aim for. Once I reach the Taj Mahal, it won’t be the end, but a beginning – of a new challenge.” This film follows her journey from 2020, to finally realizing her dream in October 2023. We see her regain her health and fitness, shedding twenty kilos, and getting her mojo back in her 70’s, inspired by a renewed sense of community. This film also documents the trip itself to the Taj Mahal in India.
Natlie Gamsu, an actor and cabaret singer, struggles to find work in her 60’s. At the start of this film, she is emotionally broken, questioning whether her career is over. Defiantly, she stages a one-woman show, pushing back against ageism in the theatre world. This film documents her journey through the development and performance of her show and through her own reckoning with her identity and value.
Each character provides a particular perspective on ageism. The Ensemble defy the dictionary meaning of Crone – an ugly withered old woman; hag. Their mere presence challenges the negative perception of this phase of a woman’s life. Kuusk exemplifies what happens when we let go of internalized ageism & reconnect with our inner exuberant child. Gamsu represents the limits imposed by society and the struggle to break free. Kuusk’s literal Taj Mahal becomes a metaphor for Gamsu, to discover her personal Taj Mahal and fight for her dreams.
The three stories are intertwined through juxtaposition & voice overs by the director, Joshinder Chaggar. Chaggar herself has picked up a camera for the 1st time in her 40’s. Watching the crones in her life push forward has inspired her to make her own dream of making a film come true.
Meet The Team
Director/Producer
Joshinder Chaggar, based out of Melbourne, Australia, is a lover of story-telling, empowering women, making people laugh, and resisting labels. She is currently undertaking a PhD doctorate, in which her research intersects intercultural identity with story-telling. Her first film, More Than Cute, a 15-minute documentary, won Best Documentary at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival 2022 (New York), and was an official selection at film festivals in Melbourne, London, Mumbai, Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad. It unpacks age and highlights how dance can help form communities. Her time working on that film led directing into wanting to make "Crones". She has worked in the dance and theater industry for the past 17 years, and specifically with the senior community since 2018. She is now transferring these passions and experience of writing, production and direction into films.
Producer
Erika M. Martinez is a queer, first-generation Cuban-American producer and owner of Pocket Monkey Productions based out of Los Angeles, who strives to tell the stories of the misfits, the underrepresented and the forgotten. Her passions lie in creating safe spaces through the stories they help tell and the environments she creates. Her most notable work comes from co-producing the award-winning short, "The Astronaut", which she helped secure funding, location, and talent. Erika does not let genre or medium define her with having worked on anything from sci-fi shorts, like “Sweet Dreams”, to horror TV series like “Ginnaya: The Ghula’s Lair”, to empowering documentaries, like this film. Erika's ultimate goal with her work is to help people feel seen, heard, and understood, whether that comes from her own writings, creating collaborative environments, or working alongside others to make their passionate dreams a reality.
Impact Producer
Jackie Turnure is a triple Emmy award winning Impact Producer with over 20 years experience helping filmmakers connect with audiences and organisations to generate measurable impact in terms of awareness, attitude and behaviour change. Jackie’s documentary impact projects include men’s' mental health series MAN UP, asylum seeker feature film, SANCTUARY, ocean conservation series AUSTRALIA’S OCEAN ODYSSEY, refugee documentary, ROSEMARY'S WAY, women in STEMM feature doc, THE LEADERSHIP and the Bob Brown feature documentary, THE GIANTS. Before returning to Australia in 2015, Jackie headed up the Los Angeles office of Think Jam, a digital marketing agency for major entertainment clients including Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM and Twentieth Century Fox.
Film Music & Score Composer
Thomas "Soup" Campbell also known as A Million Things is an award-winning Composer, Music Producer, Record Producer and Sound Engineer. Thomas has collaborated with prestigious Victorian arts organisations including Back to Back Theatre, Melbourne Recital Centre and Multicultural Arts Victoria. Thomas produces music, creates sound designs and builds bespoke interactive systems for large scale interactive art installations. He has been a core collaborator with independent arts organisations Born In A Taxi, A Blanck Canvas and The Indirect Object. As a composer, performer and producer Thomas has been a core member of bands including, The Cumbia Cosmonauts, Miso, Editor and Joelistics. Thomas has been awarded Best Original Music at the WA Screen Awards for the short film, Sol Bunker. Other works include the Capricornia Film Award winning series Zero Point by animator Jonathon Saunders and collaborations with the ABC creating original music for the six-part series The Word. Thomas has a long list of notable performances including festival appearances in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Russia.
Post Production
Stage Funding
We are in the Post Production stage of this documentary! In order to get this documentary to the public, film festivals, and streaming services, we need to finish the film! That's where you lovely donors come in!
We need a total of $69,800 in this stage to get Editing, Color, Post Sound, Music, and more!
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