"If we wish to Heal the Earth, we must allow ourselves to be Ridden by Nature."

The Film

Ridden by Nature is an ode to the natural world. Deeper still, it is an impassioned call for humanity to awaken to its connection to Mother Earth in this time of planetary crisis. This film is about opening people's eyes and hearts—especially those of children—to see themselves as caretakers of Nature, the source of life that supports us. If you believe, as I do, that this is a truly vital message, please read on and support this important campaign.

I began making this film ten years ago as an independent art project that came to life when I began to explore the ancient Japanese dance style of Butoh. Together with Butoh master Atsushi Takenouchi, I had the vision for a film that would capture live Butoh dance performances set in some of the world's most remote and extreme landscapes. The powerful scenes and images help to create a visceral experience of humanity's interconnectedness with the potent forces of nature. In this way, the dancers are channeling the pain of Mother Earth through an act of healing and love that is deeply moving for the viewer.

In an era of climate change and widespread ecological devastation, films like Ridden by Nature are necessary to awaken people to their role in this deepening crisis—as well as their power to reverse it. Now it is time to share this message with the world. Finally completed after a decade of work, we are moving forward with marketing and distribution.

As this is an independent feature and a true labor of love, we are reaching out to our community of like-minded supporters and visionaries to raise the necessary funds. We are dedicated to giving this film the greatest possible visibility and impact. With your help, we can bring Ridden by Nature to people around the world who can benefit from its heart-opening message.

What We Need & What You Get

As you may know, post-production, print and marketing is as costly (if not more so) than the making of a film. I have shepherded a film through the festival circuit before, with my project Footsteps in Africa—so I know what it takes to be successful. Most festivals require an admission fee and expensive Beta tape copies for submissions.

If we can raise $50,000, Ridden by Nature can participate in prestigious film festivals that would otherwise be out of reach. This funding will help us apply for anywhere between 20 and 100 film festivals worldwide. Funds will also cover travel costs for us to represent the film and more deeply connect audiences with its message.

In keeping with the independent spirit of the project, we will also be distributing it in a grassroots style. Free screenings will be held in city parks, to bring the film to those people—especially children—living in urban environments that have never experienced nature on this awe-inspiring scale. In conjunction, we will offer lectures and dance workshops free of charge to those on limited income. Funding will go toward rentals of event spaces to host these screenings and workshops. A blog will be launched where fans and supporters can follow the screening and event schedule as it develops.

We have assembled many rewarding perks for those who are moved to support Ridden by Nature. To those that contribute, you have our deepest gratitude. But if money is not available to you, we are grateful for any support you might give to this project. Help spread the word by sharing this campaign with your friends, family and social networks. Recommend venues, schools, galleries, or festivals that might screen the film, or help organize a screening of your own. All of these efforts are crucial and deeply appreciated.

In all of my years of filmmaking, dancing, and hosting workshops, I have relied upon the support and networking power of community to advance a project. With this film, I feel strongly that we will make a powerful impact together. Somehow the heart of Ridden by Nature beats within all of us, resonating with the heartbeat of our Mother Earth.

Thank you so much, and allow your Spirit to Dance.

Kathi Von Koerber
Filmmaker and Dancer
Ridden by Nature

More About the Film

Acclaimed filmmaker Kathi Von Koerber, creator of Footsteps in Africa, announces her transformative new film Ridden by Nature. Part myth and part meditation, the film presents evocative Butoh dance performances set in awe-inspiring natural landscapes to portray humanity's interconnection with the elements of earth.

Ridden By Nature is the culmination of a ten-year collaboration between Von Koerber, herself a dancer in the film, and butoh master Atsushi Takenouchi. Following Takenouchi’s unique Jinen Butoh form, the two dancers move with the flow of the universe as if being “ridden” by elemental forces. Exquisite cinematography from wildlife documentarian and EarthMedia creator James Ewan captures their duets with the raw forces of nature in some of the world's harshest and most breathtaking locales, including Columbia Glacier in Alaska; Red Rocks in Moab, Utah; and the volcanic coastline of MacKenzie State Recreation Area in Hawaii.

These stunning landscapes serve as stages for Von Koerber and Takenouchi to communicate their message. Bridging the worlds of art and activism, Ridden By Nature strives to awaken humanity to the deepening planetary crisis. Water, the lifeblood of the earth, is central to this impassioned call to action. Dancing atop melting glaciers, Von Koerber and Takenouchi invoke the specter of climate change and reflect the plight facing both people and planet as sea levels rise and natural disasters intensify. Their dance is elegiac and ultimately redemptive, seeking to mend the schism between humankind and Mother Earth through a profound act of suffering, healing and love.

Learn more at RiddenByNature.com.