Films about Art · GERMAINE ACOGNY – THE ESSENCE OF DANCE

Pina Bausch Centre under construction, Bundesallee 260, Wuppertal. Tickets: 9€ regular / 7€ reduced

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Germany/Senegal 2025, Director: Greta-Marie Becker
Duration: 89 minutes
Multilingual version with German subtitles or voiceover

Germaine Acogny is considered the mother of contemporary African dance and one of the most important artistic voices on the entire continent. Rooted in traditional West African dances and with an eye toward European choreography, she developed her own unique technique. At the École des Sables, the dance centre she founded with Helmut Vogt, she passes on her knowledge, and a fellowship organized with the Pina Bausch Foundation provides training and scholarships. Acogny has now been active on international stages for more than 50 years and teaches young dancers in Senegal and around the world. Filmmaker Greta-Marie Becker now dedicates this captivating documentary to her, which will be screened several months before its theatrical release as part of the Films on Art series.

Films on Art 2026

The Films on Art series, curated by Mark Tykwer, was founded in 2012 and took place in the Waldfrieden Sculpture Park until 2024. Since spring 2025, it has been based at the Pina Bausch Centre under construction. The 2026 series will feature four film evenings exploring dance, reproduction, media art, and painting.