A forgotten chapter of modern dance history is revealed in Deirdre Mulrooney’s account of Erina Brady, an Irish-German dancer who shortly before World War II brought German expressionist modern dance (Ausdruckstanz) to a conservative, neutral Ireland. There, Brady, the daughter of a former Irish priest who was initially mistaken for a Nazi spy, opened a dance school to teach the Mary Wigman technique. Her dramatic story, framed within the context of Ireland’s thriving contemporary dance scene, comes to life with scenes reenacted by the brilliant Olwen Fouéré, and choreographed by Jessica Kennedy.

Screening with:

The Birch Grove
Gabrielle Lansner, USA, 2015, DCP, 21m
In this film about the power of family ties, inspired by the eponymous novella by Polish author Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz, two brothers caught between love and death wrestle with their past in a dance toward reconciliation.

Director’s appearance made possible with the generous support of Culture Ireland.