Our Bodies Back — Sadler’s Wells presents choreography as protest art

we want our freedom
we want our justice
we want our bodies back

Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage and Breakin’ Convention present Our Bodies Back in collaboration with Jonzi D Projects and BCTV.

Our Bodies Back stages the work of acclaimed American poet and performance artist jessica Care moore in a breath-taking new dance film from Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D.

Created during lockdown, this film is choreographed and performed by Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero in Montréal, Canada; Bolegue Manuela (b-girl Manuela) in Hanover, Germany; and Nafisah Baba in London, UK.

Our Bodies Back presents a powerful rendering of Black women’s voices; speaking out against the realities of anti-Black racism, misogynoir and sexual violence, while uplifting and honouring in full the Black lives and memories lost, in a stunning ceremony of dance, spoken word and visual art.

With soundscape design from Saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch and narration by jessica Care moore, Our Bodies Back is an empowering ode to Black womanhood; affirming experiences of pain and trauma as well as pride, power and beauty as lived by generations of Black women all over the world.

#OurBodiesBack

"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 woman & this multi-disciplinary, visionary team of artists. Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor…we embody these women, we tell their stories"

JESSICA CARE MOORE

"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."

JONZI D

Purchase jessica Care moore’s We Want Our Bodies Back

In this 'making of' film, the cast and creative team share their personal artistic and emotional responses to creating Our Bodies Back: