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The Weight of Sugar (2021)

Filmed on location at a renovated historic mill, Bernard Brown/bbmoves’ latest short film uses the lens of sugar to illuminate some of the lasting effects of colonialism on women of color. With support from a strong community, a young black woman guides us toward ascension, releasing the vestiges of oppression scattered.

“… a gorgeously shot film through which Guan and Brown expressed the cruelty and suffering that the sugar cane plantations owners hoisted onto black slaves and the perseverance they endured to survive and thrive.” - LA Dance Chronicle

SCREENINGS
South Chicago Dance Theater’s Dance for the Camera Virtual Festival (2021)
Black Lives Rising Live|Virtual Dance Film Festival, NYC (2021) - Best Dance Film Award & Best Choreography Award
Dance Camera West, Los Angeles (2022)
Spring Dancefilm Festival, Spain (2022)
A Festival of the Arts, Sacramento (2022)
ADF’s Movies by Movers Festival, NC (2022)
Auro Appar Dance-Film Festival, India (2022) - Outstanding Direction Award
San Francisco Dance Film Festival (2022)
African Diaspora Cinema Festival, Florence, Italy (2023)
Choreoscope - Barcelona Dance Film Festival, Spain (2023)

Trailer

 

Watch Full Film Below


Credits

Creative Director/Choreographer: Bernard Brown
Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Jingqiu Guan
Dancers: Laila Shabazz, Cynthia Booth, Joniece Boykins,Gelline Guevarra and Jade Tabayoyong
Music and Sound Design: Karam Salem
Costume Design: Kristina Garnett of KaartKaart

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