Think short film and you may think arthouse cinema, film festivals, and obscure accolades. Cheadle dance classes and premieres in Stockport town centre - less so. But then, why should that be the case?

'I Dance, Therefore I am' is proof that both fantastic stories and fantastic filmmaking talent exists locally. 

This documentary film, produced and filmed by Mark Tuson and James Chapman, covers Suzanne Brown's dance class, based at Cheadle Life Leisure centre. It premiered at The Light on 30 January. 

The documentary follows the story of Suzanne herself - a lifelong dancer - and her students, with a specific focus on the remarkable effects of dancing, music and exercise. 

Suzanne Brown, who runs the dance classes, has been a lifelong dancer (Image - Northern Spark Productions)

The class is aimed at 'ladies of a certain age'. Many of them have experience of dancing in their 20s and 30s, which the class aims to rekindle. 

The ladies practice a variety of dancing styles to a similarly wide range of music - from traditional jazz to modern film scores. 

Crucially, the film reveals that aside from instilling an excellent sense of movement and rhythm, the classes have helped its attendees through bereavements, divorces, cancer rehabilitation, stress, and more. 

Indeed, many of the ladies interviewed throughout the documentary say it is hard to imagine how they could have managed without it.

'I Dance Therefore I Am' premiered at The Light cinema in Stockport town centre (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Speaking of the documentary, Mark - head of Northern Spark Productions - said: "I usually work a lot in the corporate and event video spheres, so to have the opportunity to work on this wholesome project and help tell the stories of these inspiring ladies has been wonderful. I'd love to pursue more documentary storytelling just like this."

Suzanne and her students were in attendance during the premiere. Reacting to seeing the film for the first time, Suzanne said: "[Mark's] ability to put all that together - it was fanstastic. Truly, it was brilliant."

Speaking more generally of the impacts of dancing, she told Nub News: "When you're dancing, there is no room for anything else. You have to concentrate on the steps and the timing. It's joyful."

I Dance Therefore I Am is a film by Northern Spark Productions. Find more information on the company HERE.

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