Danse L’Intervention
One ordinary afternoon, Ginny McCullough's world tipped on its axis, literally and figuratively. She was playing soccer, the meadows stretching out in front of her, when the field appeared to tilt. Out of nowhere, she had been struck by a stroke.
Her experience is chronicled in the eight-minute short film by Wes Tank titled “Danse L’Intervention,” with music composed by her son, Milwaukee-based musician Cullah, and performed by a local string ensemble, the Brusubardis Family. Cullah also stars as McCullough in the piece.
Her experience is chronicled in the eight-minute short film by Wes Tank titled “Danse L’Intervention,” with music composed by her son, Milwaukee-based musician Cullah, and performed by a local string ensemble, the Brusubardis Family. Cullah also stars as McCullough in the piece.
Classical music has that timeless feel, evoking big themes like life and death in Danse Macabre. Mixing
it with postmodern feel —like atonality and extended violin techniques—makes it feel current and raw,
like simulating a stroke's chaos through sonic dissonance.
Cullah
Throughout the frames, the musician re-enacts his mother’s experience of a stroke, beginning with an otherwise typical soccer game. In the background, McCullough recounts the day.
“Why would I have a stroke? I’m healthy,” says McCullough in the film.
As her voice weaves in and out, so does the music, which draws from “Dance Macabre,” a 19th century French waltz. The music—harsh and dense with sharp chords—fosters feelings of disorientation and forebodingness as the stroke swallows McCullough’s senses.
"Classical music has that timeless feel, evoking big themes like life and death in Danse Macabre. Mixing it with postmodern feel —like atonality and extended violin techniques—makes it feel current and raw, like simulating a stroke's chaos through sonic dissonance,” says Cullah.
At the same time, a ribbon dancer cloaked in black twirls a red ribbon – both in the air and in the water. The ribbon represents McCullough's blood, freely flowing at the beginning, before becoming tangled as the stroke progresses.
McCullough eventually tumbles into the water, too, as the blood clot has left her brain oxygen-deprived, much like someone would feel when drowning.
Then, she wakes up under bright, sterile lights. She is at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and a team of healthcare professionals including Ann Helms, MD, MS, professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, just performed a live-saving operation.
“It’s called a mechanical thrombectomy. A tiny, cross-hatched stent is put into the blood clot and then pulled out – with the clot and all,” says Dr. Helms, a vascular neurologist.
The procedure saved McCullough’s life – and inspired her to do the same for others. After going back to school, McCullough now serves as a neurology nurse practitioner in the very same unit that revived her.
“I’m emotional watching the film because I was reliving it, and also remembering the help,” says McCullough. “Now, I can talk to other people who have also had strokes and are really struggling, and give them the same help and hope.”
“Why would I have a stroke? I’m healthy,” says McCullough in the film.
As her voice weaves in and out, so does the music, which draws from “Dance Macabre,” a 19th century French waltz. The music—harsh and dense with sharp chords—fosters feelings of disorientation and forebodingness as the stroke swallows McCullough’s senses.
"Classical music has that timeless feel, evoking big themes like life and death in Danse Macabre. Mixing it with postmodern feel —like atonality and extended violin techniques—makes it feel current and raw, like simulating a stroke's chaos through sonic dissonance,” says Cullah.
At the same time, a ribbon dancer cloaked in black twirls a red ribbon – both in the air and in the water. The ribbon represents McCullough's blood, freely flowing at the beginning, before becoming tangled as the stroke progresses.
McCullough eventually tumbles into the water, too, as the blood clot has left her brain oxygen-deprived, much like someone would feel when drowning.
Then, she wakes up under bright, sterile lights. She is at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and a team of healthcare professionals including Ann Helms, MD, MS, professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, just performed a live-saving operation.
“It’s called a mechanical thrombectomy. A tiny, cross-hatched stent is put into the blood clot and then pulled out – with the clot and all,” says Dr. Helms, a vascular neurologist.
The procedure saved McCullough’s life – and inspired her to do the same for others. After going back to school, McCullough now serves as a neurology nurse practitioner in the very same unit that revived her.
“I’m emotional watching the film because I was reliving it, and also remembering the help,” says McCullough. “Now, I can talk to other people who have also had strokes and are really struggling, and give them the same help and hope.”
Composer: Cullah
Adapted and Arranged From: Danse Macabre (1874) by Camille Saint-Saens
Violin 1: Sonora Brusubardis
Violin 2: Kristian Brusubardis
Cello: Viktor Brusubardis
Recording Engineer: Josh Evert, Silver City Studios
Adapted and Arranged From: Danse Macabre (1874) by Camille Saint-Saens
Violin 1: Sonora Brusubardis
Violin 2: Kristian Brusubardis
Cello: Viktor Brusubardis
Recording Engineer: Josh Evert, Silver City Studios
Inspiration and Featuring: Ginny Mccullough, MSN, FNP, APNP, vascular neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin
Producer: Alex Boyes, Medical College of Wisconsin
Director and Editor: Wes Tank, TankThink
Ribbon Dancer: Mie
Written Piece: Gabriella Snyder, Medical College of Wisconsin
Filmed on location at Froedtert Hospital, Cudahy Middle School, and Washington Park Media Center.
Thanks to the Inpatient Neurology team and the Cudahy Recreation Department.
Producer: Alex Boyes, Medical College of Wisconsin
Director and Editor: Wes Tank, TankThink
Ribbon Dancer: Mie
Written Piece: Gabriella Snyder, Medical College of Wisconsin
Filmed on location at Froedtert Hospital, Cudahy Middle School, and Washington Park Media Center.
Thanks to the Inpatient Neurology team and the Cudahy Recreation Department.
Making of Danse L'Intervention
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Strokes can strike anyone, anytime. The signs of a stroke can be remembered by the acronym “BEFAST” – loss of balance, loss of vision in eyes, uneven face, weak arm or leg, slurred speech, and terrible headache.
If any symptoms of a stroke are suspected, call 911 right away. McCullough’s recovery can be attributed to her goalkeeper’s quick realization that a stroke was unfolding, allowing McCullough to reach the ER within an hour.
If any symptoms of a stroke are suspected, call 911 right away. McCullough’s recovery can be attributed to her goalkeeper’s quick realization that a stroke was unfolding, allowing McCullough to reach the ER within an hour.