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  • Film

Germaine Acogny - The Essence of Dance

Tue, May 26, 2026
    Part of
  • DanceAfrica Festival 2026 Program
  • and
  • BAM Film 2026
Directed by Greta-Marie Becker (2025)
With Germaine Acogny
North American Premiere

Germaine Acogny, the "mother of African contemporary dance," is one of Africa’s most influential artists. This documentary traces her journey as a pioneer in blending traditional West African dance with European influences, creating the Acogny Technique, which has shaped contemporary dance worldwide. With over 50 years of performing and teaching, the 80-year-old dance icon received the Golden Lion for Dance at the 2021 Venice Dance Festival for her lifetime achievements.

Followed by a Q&A with Ghyslaine de Souza, Germaine Acogny’s daughter, moderated by Tracy Austin

UPCOMING Screenings

      RUNNING TIME

      89min

      VENUE

      Peter Jay Sharp Building
      BAM Rose Cinemas

      FORMAT

      DCP

      LANGUAGE

      In French, English, Wolof, Fon with English subtitles

      TICKET INFORMATION

      General Admission: $17
      Members: $12
      Please note: A $2 handling fee per ticket will be added to your order.

      Leadership support for
      BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

      Mellon Foundation

      Leadership support for
      BAM Access Programs provided by
      the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

      JL Greene

      Leadership support for
      BAM programming provided by:

      Howard Gilman

      Leadership support for
      BAM Film provided by
      The Thompson Family Foundation

      Major support for programs in
      the Lepercq Cinema is provided by
      The Lepercq Charitable Foundation

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