dance — Features

Esraa Warda is decolonising dance and reviving the rebellious roots of Rai

Digital Editor Dalia Al-Dujaili was lucky enough to sit down with renowned Algerian-American dancer Esraa Warda in her Brooklyn apartment. She tells AZEEMA about the origins of her subversive rai dancing, her long-standing musical partnership with icon Cheikha Rabia, and her excitement about a rare and special upcoming performance during this year’s Le Guess Who? Festival.

RESISTANCE, ARTS & CULTURE, SOUNDAZEEMA -October 19, 2022music, algerian, north africa, dance, rai, esraa warda, cheikha rabia, new york, community

A Bath In My Mothers Womb - A film by Mona Namér exploring metamorphosis through movement

Moroccan-Swedish Choreographer and Visual Artist Mona Namér takes us on a journey of metamorphosis, rebirth and escapism with her new short film, A Bath In My Mothers Womb. We talk to Mona about her inspirations and the experiences of making the film, unearthing her own traumas surrounding identity, mental health and healing.

ARTS & CULTUREAZEEMA -April 26, 2022film, choreographer, art, short film, dance, Morocco, sweden, diaspora

Sarah Elizabeth’s new film is a love letter to her Indian roots, and the connection between dance and the natural environment

‘Symbioses’, the filmmaker’s latest short art film, addresses growing up mixed race and harks to the beauty of filming with natural light at sunrise: here, Sarah walks us through the behind-the-scenes creation of the film.