Political Bodies: An Introduction

Montreal, QC, CANADA - The bodies of minorities experiencing freedom and joy evokes a power that’s difficult to put words to. Such a fundamental piece of the human experience being innately political is, and has been, a call to action. This piece is thrilling and had me glued to the screen beginning to end with choreography that celebrates each individual dancer’s strengths and identity. It also got my head BOPPING.

From the Director, Miranda Chan: In North America, the pandemic has shone light on many issues regarding the structure of the world we live in, especially systemic racism. Minorities are finding their voices during these times to come together and fight for social justice. Miranda uses the voice she knows best; through movement. Here she collaborates with 10 dancers to introduce the beginning of her project; ‘Political Bodies’. She hopes this project will allow people to see the importance of dance in society and how this liberation within us that is created through dancing has immense power.

Set in a nightclub, ‘Political Bodies’ gathers what society has deemed as marginalized bodies, to dance, to take space and to empower these bodies and all those who come in contact with them. The setting gives tribute to how LGBQT communities were an essential part of club culture and the birth of dance music. Nightclubs in history represented safe spaces for LGBQT people to gather and defy the oppression of society. Raving has become a form of protest. This dance film brings us into this universe for a moment and allows us to travel through emotions of resistance, pride and empowerment that lives within the resilient lives of minorities in North America.