Babel 7.16

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet’s Babel 7.16 unites 22 dancers from 15 nations in a performance that explores language and its relationship with nationhood, identity and religion. The ballet takes its title and tone from the apocalyptic Bible story in which God punitively divides his people into competing nations and tongues. The imposing three-dimensional structures of Antony Gormley’s stage design suggest a nameless intersection in a city near the borders of a no man’s land. The choreography elaborates the dynamic of connection and withdrawal, sustained by the installation of light-catching steel cubes. By inviting the “astonishingly multitalented cast of dancers” the two Belgian choreographers have put the concept of masses, of history and of territory in the Cour d’honneur du Palais des Papes in Avignon, and thus created “the most fiercely resonant dance theatre of the decade” (The Guardian).

“Cherkaoui and Jalet are bombs from which ideas spring. All the formats overlap each other, spinning solos, acrobatic tight-glue pas de deux, choir group paintings that set the stage on fire.” –Le Monde

PROGRAM

THE FILM: BABEL 7.16

Heliox Films
In co-production with Eastman, PWP and Unitel
In association with Classical M_Media and Festival d’Avignon
From the Cour d’honneur, Palais des Papes, Avignon
Video Director: Roberto Maria Grassi
Running time: 110 minutes
Advisory: Minor nudity and strong language

Taking the tale of 'The Tower of Babel' as its starting point this dance performance explores language and its relationship with nationhood, identity and religion. Presented in the famous Cour d'honneur du Palais des Papes choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet have joined forces with visual artist Antony Gormley to create Babel 7.16. The cast of 22 dancers comprises artists from 15 nations. Recorded live at Festival d'Avignon, July 2016. --Heliox Films, 2016