Never Twenty One

"Smaïl Kanouté's dance production is a lament, a tribute and a protest. In its reference to individual lives, Never Twenty One has a heartbreaking specificity; as a political act, it has a global reach." - The Dance Centre - Vancouver

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement's #Never21 hashtag, French-Malian choreographer and dancer Smaïl Kanouté's deeply resonant piece pays tribute to young people of color who have lost their lives to gun violence all over the world before reaching the age of 21. Excerpts of powerful testimonies from victims' family members are transcribed on the dancers' bodies, combining dance and visual art. The dancers' movement draws on contemporary and intuitive dance, krump, popping, and baile funk in recounting the stories of many broken lives.

Never Twenty One comes to Duke University after making its US Premiere in a FIAF co-presentation with New York Live Arts and Villa Albertine as part of the 2023 Crossing The Line Festival.

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