French breaking dance showcase enthralls Shanghai audiences

French Breaking Season captivated audiences at the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater from May 24 to June 10 with a display of three dynamic French breaking dance productions — Dos Au Mur, Exit, and We Are Monchichi — as part of the Festival Croisements 2024.

The Festival Croisements, established in 2006, serves as a platform fostering cultural exchanges between Chinese and French art institutions and artists, showcasing the vibrancy and creativity of culture and art to bolster mutual understanding and friendship.

This year, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations and the upcoming Paris Olympic Games where breaking will debut as an official competitive event, French breaking dance has gained prominence in the cultural landscape. The inclusion of breaking in the Olympics has sparked renewed interest in this art form, with innovative contemporary works pushing the boundaries of the style and captivating a wider audience.

Among the featured performances, Dos Au Mur, choreographed by Camille Regneault and Julien Saint Maximin, showcased a fusion of street dance aesthetics, exploring the interaction between dancers and stage props to reflect on human influence on their environment.

Exit, choreographed by Soria Rem and Mehdi Ouachek, delved into the inner desires of characters trapped in mundane routines, blending Breaking techniques with comedic elements reminiscent of Charles Chaplin's silent film era.

We Are Monchichi, choreographed by Honji Wang and Sebastien Ramirez, depicted a dance of conflict seeking harmony, as dancers embodied antagonistic forces in a quest for self-discovery and shared experiences, unfolding a narrative rich in symbolism and emotion.

The performance We Are Monchichi drew inspiration from the Monchichi toy line from Japan, symbolizing a search for childhood memories and unity, encapsulating a poignant exploration of self and collective identity through movement and expression.