THE CIrCLE

The two brothers Sanchez and David are living on a council estate in Hackney, East London – a district infamous for its high crime rate. Lanre Malaolu’s THE CIRCLE, a bold and poetic portrayal of their lives, combines documentary with choreographed dance to reveal what it means to be a young black man growing up in this neighbourhood. The film gives an insight into their understanding of brotherhood and family, their mental health and the covert racism and stigma they are facing daily.

Simultaneously, an embodiment of black masculinity and bold vulnerability, the film creates a crass contrast of visually pleasing dance moves and politically charged topics. “Sometimes, I feel like my mind and my thoughts are just like, attacking me”, one of the brothers states as we see a dancer perform rough movements, manifesting the brothers thoughts and feelings into motions. The dancers shape their phrases with tension and release, creating a dialogue between the protagonists, performers and the audience.

The choreography seems to extend to the film’s editing. The filmmaker’s choice to use a split screen in some scenes creates a surreal symbiosis of spatial impressions, movements and memories. The masterful marriage of such elements adds a certain depth and sensitivity to every scene.

Additionally, the film’s music is an integral driving force for all motions and emotions on screen, guiding the audience through the narrative as much as the voice-over does. Sometimes full of rhythm and suspense, other times rather dreamy, the soundscape resonates perfectly with the brothers’ personalities. Malaolu draws out the emotional arch of the brothers’ recollections so vividly, weaving the young men’s voice-over together with the natural sounds of the dancers’ feet and breath. Thus bringing us closer to them both and achieving a sense of intimacy.

Neither a dance film, nor a film about dance, this courageous piece is a combination of different forms of art, proving how much these art forms complement each other. Lanre Malaolu’s modern tale opens the window to the complexity of topics such as brotherhood and masculinity, family and mental health. THE CIRCLE is that kind of film where you have to pick your jaw back up from the floor you dropped it to. It is one of those that is as sticky as glue, it doesn’t leave you and you wouldn’t want it to.

doxs! festival 2020

The 19th edition of the doxs! festival (2-8 November 2020) took place digitally with encounters via video conferences. THE CIRCLE won the GROSSE KLAPPE Award, presented by the doxs! Youth Jury consisting of 14 young adults ranging from 14-17 years old.

THE CIRCLE UK, 2019, 15’ Director: Lanre Malaolu; Producer: Elizabeth Benjamin/ UPRA, Contact: emebenjamin@yahoo.com Camera & Editing: Monika Jastrzebska Score: Jan Brzeziński

The Doxspot column is published

with the help of the doxs! festival

for children & youth documentaries in Duisburg and other cities in the Ruh Area.