The Princess Grace Theatre in Monaco was chosen for the opening of the ZE Film Festival LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender) created by the Association Polychromes, scheduled from September 27 through October 13 in cities from Nice to Marseille. Two dance films were projected in avant premiere, one was the controversial multimedia dance work  “Still / Here” conceived by talented American artistic director, choreographer and dancer Bill T. Jones and produced by Gretchen Bender. Incorporating choreography by Jones and video by Bender, this very moving film is based on interviews and movement workshops conducted with people of every age, colour and gender living with terminal illness, exploring introspection, denial and fear but ultimately being defiant and life affirming.

Herve Aeschbach, Juan Flores President and Christophe Maillot

An interactive debate followed animated by Jean-Christophe Maillot, Director and Choreographer of the Monte-Carlo Ballet, Jean Flores, President of Polychromes and Herve Aeschbach from FightAids Monaco. The lively discussion with the public centred on the Aids dilemma in the dance world where the body is centrepiece and takes paramount importance in the romantic encounter, and the consequences of that virus surrounded by ostracism that adds cruel and unusual punishment to the sufferers. Christophe Maillot wisely said that in suffering and in dance there is no sexual identity. The second projection “Five Dances” was a fiction by Alan Brown depicting the story of Chip, a young male dancer who moves to Soho in New York to join a modern dance company, and whose only objective is to live his passion.  Within a framework of hard work, discipline, camaraderie, competiveness and personal satisfaction, Chip finds comfort and love in his colleague Theo. This festival is a first for the Principality and it shows an open mind attitude in promoting an open discussion of subjects otherwise considered taboo

For more information on the festival go to www.zefestival.fr

Photo by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha