THURSDAY, SEPT 7, from 21:00
AT GRăDINA CU FILME — CINEMA & MORE

The first International Competition of the ninth edition of BIDFF features five docu-stories that take the audience on an inspirational journey around the world. From the poignant story of the US-Mexico borderland farm workers to the ignited passion of the fire breathing boys from Ghana, this selection celebrates the power of rhythm through dance and hidden senses, unveiling the importance of a collective resistance which springs out of a strong and fighting spirit. Six directors and choreographers capture the realities of marginal communities which make their voices heard through dizzying rhythms.

GHOSTLY LABOR: A DANCE FILM

13:13, 2022, US
D: John Jota Leaños, Vanessa Sanchez
C: Vanessa Sanchez

Ghostly Labor: A Dance Film explores the history of labor in the US–Mexico borderlands through Tap Dance, Mexican Zapateado, Son Jarocho, Afro Caribbean movement, and live music. This work brings together polyrhythmic movement and an original score to look at the (ongoing) years of systemic exploitation of labor while highlighting the power and joy of collective resistance.

In Light

7:36, 2022, BG/FR/IT
D: Alice Fassi

In Light lives in a liminal space between documentary and visual tale. Alternating archival film material with new footage, the short film grants a unique insight into the peaceful and sublime ways of the Universal White Brotherhood, a community whose philosophy lies in opening their hearts to the light and channeling a supreme cosmic rhythm through dance. Born in Bulgaria at the beginning of the 20th century, the movement professes the High Ideal passed on by its founder and spiritual guide Master Beinsa Duno: “A heart as pure as a crystal, a mind as radiant as the sun, a soul as vast as the universe, a spirit as powerful as God and one with God.”

YVON / THE ETERNAL

20:01, 2022, CA
D: Benoit Massé

In the autumn of his life, Yvon resides at La Maison d’Hérelle, a caring home specialized for people living with HIV or AIDS and those coming close to the end of their lives. Enamored with classical music, Yvon constantly sings arie for the flowers, the birds, his friend Alain and for himself.

DRAGON BOYS

12:30, 2023, UK/GH
D: Tom Ringsby

In Accra, Ghana - a group of young men have formed a brotherhood rooted in a unique combination of acrobatics, dance and fire breathing. In lack of access to any formal training, they have developed their skills through internet tutorials and relentless practice sessions starting at 5am every morning. This troupe of highly-skilled performers have come to represent strength and positivity to their community, especially the youngsters they train and support with their earnings.

They call themselves The Dragon Boys.

AND ME, I’M DANCING TOO

20:33, 2023, CZ
D: Mohammad Valizadegan

Saba is an Iranian female dancer. She wants to be indifferent to her surroundings and project this self-being and freedom with her "body". She is in love with the art of dancing, the art of letting go and living away from conventional bonds but the art of being is forbidden in an ultimately religious state who ignores the very basic human rights. The film is an honest portrait of the daily oppression women have to deal with in Iran towards the path to freedom.

ANIMAL ORIGINS

10:14, 2022, UK
D: Siobhan Davies

At the heart of Animal Origins are the reflections of dancer and choreographer Siobhan Davies as she unravels the complex processes that underpin a life’s work in dance. At the same time she looks far beyond herself, touching upon the histories of movement embedded in each of us, allowing the watcher to enter a descriptive world and feel the weight of their own body walking or turning or falling. The images in the film echo Davies’ thoughts, showing the physical fluidity and depth of movement between all things. The art is seen to be both felt and material, then transformed by the dancer into something they can hold and use