kNOwBOX dance Film Festival 2023
Official Selection Film Spotlight
MABOUNGOU: Being in the World
MABOUNGOU: Being in the World / Korea Premiere / Canada / 48:47
This documentary delves into the resonant universe of Montréal-based choreographer and philosopher, Zab Maboungou, of Franco-Congolese origin... Her political history, artistry, and pioneering research of rhythm-cultures are acts of empowerment that created belonging for other African artists in Canada and abroad.
What do you hope to communicate with our audience through your work?
This first-ever documentary on Zab Maboungou’s life and times is anchored in the philosophy embedded in the dance that she creates and the aesthetic of her personal trajectory. As filmmakers, we see Maboungou as a profound and engaged artist pushing forward the art of dance, all the while respecting the rigour of her technique and conveying the richness of its roots. We are drawn to her ability to work at the forefront of current expression, inherently challenging the norms and preconceptions surrounding African dances, always embracing a constantly evolving culture.
Our scope of work in dance-media is often conceptually cross-cultural, infusing hybrid content and form, and we continually want to open ourselves to a dialogue on layered authenticities. Mouvement Perpétuel is an award-winning Montreal-based independent film, video, and new media production company specializing in arts programming. Co-directors Marlene Millar and Philip Szporer create impressionistic dance-media films, arts documentaries and multi-channel video installations, feature expansive choreographies and portraits of some of Canada/Quebec’s leading contemporary dancers and choreographers and from across cultures within the Americas, Europe and Asia. Viewers are invited into a deeply intimate tracing of the curvatures of rich human experience.
Directors: Marlene Millar, Philip Szporer
Producers: Marlene Millar, Philip Szporer
Writers: Philip Szporer, Marlene Millar, Dr. 'Funmi Adewole Elliott
Cinematographers: Michael Wees, Peter Krieger
Editor: Mark Durand
Animator: Kara Blake
Music Composition: Judith Gruber-Stitzer
Sound Design: Judith Gruber-Stitzer
Music and Recording Mixer: François Arbour
Online Editor: Tony Manolikakis (Rev13 Films)
Dialogue Editor: Daniel Toussaint
Research: Lucy Fandel
Visual Research: Siam Obregón
Narration: Dr. 'Funmi Adewole Elliott, Philip Szporer
Assistants: Maritza Grégoire