The 14th annual Luxembourg City Film Festival is in full swing, filling the numerous cinema halls of Luxembourg. As the country’s official festival, it showcases the latest cinematic releases, offering its audience a diverse array of international contemporary creations.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and the City of Luxembourg, the festival not only presents a creative mix of fiction, documentaries, special sessions, and national productions but also expands its reach by engaging with a young audience and organizing thematic evenings, parties, free workshops, exhibitions, and concerts.
The festival commenced on February 26th and will conclude with its final screening on Sunday, March 10th.
Identity, culture, and gender
We had the pleasure of attending a screening at Utopia. It featured a poignant dance piece titled “Moitié Moi” (“Half Me”), co-created by director Kim El Ouardi and artist Nora Wagner in collaboration with Cercle Cité. The film brings together four passionate Hip-Hop dancers on a journey to deepen their sense of identity, culture, and gender. The title reflects on the dual lives of the performers, balancing their roles as dancers with their everyday lives, careers, friendships, and families. It also explores the subjectivity of the piece, crafted through the perspectives of multiple individuals.
The project began two years ago, with Nora interviewing the four protagonists. They reminisce about the intensity and intimacy of these individual encounters with the artist. “It felt like delving into a deep stream of consciousness,” one dancer explains. Nora’s ability to delve into their minds allowed her to create their portraits. In the documentary, viewers are immersed in the dancers’ world through personal profiles that blend dance, visual art, and excerpts from their interviews. The camera delicately follows the dancers through their preparation and practice, enabling them to express their vulnerability deeply. The interplay between realism and imagined scenes exposes the individual and collective struggles everyone faces in finding their place in society.
Whether you’re a hip-hop enthusiast or simply interested in the dancers, you’ll have the chance to meet them at the “Block Party” on April 6th at Rotondes. This event is a celebration of hip-hop culture and will feature performances, dance battles, exhibitions, screenings, and food. More information: https://www.rotondes.lu/en/agenda/block-party
Pictures: Luxembourg City Film Festival / Margaux Gatti
