Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage and Breakin’ Convention have released Our Bodies Back, a new dance film that "speaks out against anti-Black racism and honours the lived experiences of black women past and present."
Made in collaboration with Jonzi D Projects and BCTV, the film stages the poem We Want Our Bodies Back by American poet and performance artist jessica Care moore and is directed by Jonzi D. It will be available on the Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel from 11AM on Wednesday 19 August 2020 along with a ‘Making Of’ film.
Created during lockdown and filmed remotely, Our Bodies Back is choreographed and performed by Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero in Montréal, Canada, Bolegue Manuela (b-girl Manuela) in Hanover, Germany and Nafisah Baba in London with soundscape design from saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch and narration by jessica Care moore.
Moore said, "this exquisite collaboration has moved me to tears more than once. I am honoured to see my poem come to life through the bodies of genius women and this multi-disciplinary, visionary team of artists. Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor… we embody these women, we tell their stories."
Jonzi D added, "this poem is a demand. For justice, for equality, for respect, for Our Bodies Back. The whole team were so moved by jessica’s incisive lyrics and intense delivery, we had the perfect blueprint for this film. The dancers responded with honesty, grace and power."