Surfacing is a 1981 Canadian drama film directed by Claude Jutra and starring Kathleen Beller, R. H. Thomson, Joseph Bottoms, Michael Ironside and Margaret Dragu.^[1] The film was written by Bernard Gordon as an adaptation of Margaret Atwood‘s novel Surfacing (1972).

The eleven minute piece draws inspiration from Margaret Atwood’s poem: This is a Photograph of Me. The work explores our awareness and acceptance of human mortality. As a transformation of dance for the camera, Surfacing uses cinematic choices such as a constantly panning camera, varied angles, extreme close ups and juxtaposed images to enhance the choreography, alluring audiences into the world of the piece.