FilmFest by Rogue Dancer: 2 Close
You can watch my recent short dance film, Second Guessing, here until 5th February 2023 as part of FilmFest by Rogue Dance: 2 Close.
Earlier this year I teamed up with Therese Lynch to make a new short dance film. Related to my Hip Hop theatre piece, Second Guessing, the film investigates the theme of coercive control from the victim’s perspective. Second Guessing is being screened here as part of FilmFest by Rogue Dance: 2 Close until 5th February 2023.
It has been a long road since that time we thought everything was alright and safe. Politics forgetting its public service, pandemic, war, depressed teens, no touching, no smiling, trying to identify people by their eyebrows, isolating, dysfunctional bi-solating, comfy TV watching pants all the time and no live DANCE class. As we learn how to people again and feel normal… everything is still 2 Close. The healing process requires the vulnerability of opening our hearts again.
“Coercive control is a strategic pattern of behaviour designed to exploit, control, create dependency and dominate. The victim’s every day existence is micro managed and her space for action as well as potential as a human being is limited and controlled by the abuser.” https://www.laurarichards.co.uk/coercive-control/
The film captures moments of a trip to the supermarket, conveying the complex and pervasive impact of the abuse on the victim’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
UK Domestic Abuse helpline 0800 027 1234
Hip Hop Theatre Work Investigating Coercive Control
I am currently researching and developing a new high-quality Hip Hop dance theatre work exploring the theme of coercive control, Second Guessing. Funded by Creative Scotland, my aims are to raise awareness, shine a light on victims’ experiences and advance the under-represented artform of Hip Hop theatre within Scotland.
I am currently researching and developing a new high-quality Hip Hop dance theatre work exploring the theme of coercive control, Second Guessing. Funded by Creative Scotland, my aims are to raise awareness, shine a light on victims’ experiences and advance the under-represented artform of Hip Hop theatre within Scotland.
I feel this is the right time to undertake this project not only in my breaking (breakdancing) career, but in the wider world. My mother is a founding member of Women’s Aid in Glasgow and Kilmarnock, and I would like to continue her legacy. On the 1st of April 2019 a groundbreaking new law came into force in Scotland. The Domestic Abuse Act “criminalises psychological domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour…” https://www.gov.scot/news/domestic-abuse-act-in-force/
Also, I support the Me Too movement and want to do my part as an artist to add to the conversation, being a woman in the male-dominated field of Hip Hop provides me with a platform to do this.
The project is supported by partnerships and is taking place in Scotland and Italy, strengthening my existing relationships that were built through previously funded Creative Scotland projects.
Photography by sara_tamburro_videoeditor