What to Watch

What to Watch | 24 August 2020

Here’s another round up of awesome dance films to watch online this week!

Created in Quarantine

1. Our Bodies Back

This important film comes from Breakin’ Convention and Sadler’s Wells and is directed by Jonzi D. Featuring words by jessica Care moore, performances by by Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero in Montréal, Canada; Bolegue Manuela (b-girl Manuela) in Hanover, Germany; and Nafisah Baba in London, UK, and music by Soweto Kinch, Our Bodies Back fuses powerful poetry with virtuosic dance to speak out against the realities of anti-Black racism, misogynoir and sexual violence.

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Dance On Screen

2. SAANS - सांस - BREATH

This Nutkhut production was commissioned by Certain Blacks for the Newham Unlocked festival. Filmed entirely during lockdown, this groundbreaking work observed social distancing challenges in the making of this film, incorporating 23 CCTV surveillance cameras, engaging with three generations of performers, working sensitively with and amongst the shopkeepers, stallholders and customers, resulting in creating a unique dance language in the rich and diverse cultural landscape of East London.

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Under 5 Minutes

3. Northern Ballet, Burberry Inspire & American Ballet Theatre - A Lonely Summer's Day

This collaborative piece shows performers dancing choreography created by students from West Yorkshire and New York City. Watch out for some stunning backdrops, and some pretty cool dancing in the rain!

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Feature Length

4. Rhiannon Faith - DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN

Age Guidance: 15+ due to strong language, and themes of isolation, depression and suicide.
Gritty dance theatre, with autobiographical testimonials and text, this timely virtual performance gives voice to the vulnerable and unheard. Loneliness, involuntary isolation and the difficulty of leaving the house are all sensitively explored in this poignant, specially created film. With tenderness and honesty, DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN holds up a mirror to a society at tipping point.

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Catch It While You Can

5. STRASBOURG 1518

Commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and Artangel for the BBC, STRASBOURG 1518 is inspired by a powerful involuntary mania which took hold of citizens in the city of Strasbourg over 500 years ago. Featuring performances by Andrey Berezin, Botis Seva, Ditta Miranda Jasjfi, Germaine Acogny, Jamila Johnson-Small, Kaori Ito, Nazareth Panadero, Oleg Stepanov and Tsai-Chin Yu. Watch the full film on BBC iPlayer for the next 10 months. Here’s a short trailer to peak your interest:

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