Through Thin Ice
Digital video, 11:30
May 2022
Digital video, 11:30
May 2022
Through Thin Ice explores the emotional scope of Intimate Partner Violence by imaging an unhealthy relationship through an affective lens.
Shortly after meeting, Monica begins dating Lukas, a gulf-raised burgeoning curator in Abu Dhabi. As their relationship progresses, a precarious dynamic develops between the two. Attraction morphs into tension; the relationship is thrown off balance by frequent banter and passive aggressive gestures. Soon Monica finds herself stuck in a cycle of affection, unease, conflict, and forgiveness.
Shortly after meeting, Monica begins dating Lukas, a gulf-raised burgeoning curator in Abu Dhabi. As their relationship progresses, a precarious dynamic develops between the two. Attraction morphs into tension; the relationship is thrown off balance by frequent banter and passive aggressive gestures. Soon Monica finds herself stuck in a cycle of affection, unease, conflict, and forgiveness.
The film adopts an affective approach to storytelling, giving weight to sensations and visual impact rather than representation, strongly influenced by the photography of Larry Sultan, films by Joanna Hogg, and writing by Carmen Maria Machado, Rebecca Traister, Julia Lesage, and Elena del Río. Through a distinctly feminist and emotion-focused lens, it gives form to non-tactile abuse in romantic relationships, revealing the imbalanced power dynamics within IPV, and lends itself to the demystification of domestic abuse victims’ headspace.
