What does it mean to be yourself in a world that always tries to divide people into groups? In a time when people often think of identity as being defined by labels, Belgian choreographer Larbi Cherkaoui brings a strong sound. After Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's world-famous performance Sutra on 28-30 May, Amare, Holland Dance Festival and Filmhuis Den Haag are presenting the recently released documentary Don't put me in a box. His work is a dance of different cultures, a search for freedom, and a way of talking about who he is as a person and as an artist.
“I’m arab, white, homosexual, and vegan, whatever I do is political” With those powerful words, Cherkaoui, one of the leading choreographers of our time. He sets the tone for this documentary.
In Don't put me in a box, we follow Cherkaoui not only as an artist, but also as a person. The documentary gives a unique insight into how he creates his art and his personal journey. A person who has a clear vision of the future and who can easily switch between hip-hop and classical dance, between Eastern rituals and Western pop icons. The camera follows him through some of the most important moments of his career and life, from rehearsals in Geneva to creations in Antwerp and Japan. This is not a typical portrait. It is a close-up look at his life, beliefs and artistic style.
For the documentary, the world-famous choreographer is filmed during rehearsals and creations in Geneva, Antwerp and Japan, as well as at his final performance in Antwerp and important milestones such as Sutra in China, Starmania in Paris and Boléro. He works with famous artists like Beyoncé, Madonna, Marina Abramović and Anthony Gormley. These artists, like him, are known for challenging boundaries.
Through voice-over and personal texts, the film looks at his past, his problems with knowing who he is, his energy sources and how dance can help him to feel better. It's not a simple story, but a complex one of a talented person who refuses to be defined by one type of work.
Don't put me in a box is a universal story about a very creative person who is inspired by different cultures.
The documentaire Don't put me in a box has English subtitles.
