A moving, dancing, spinning tribute

Renowned contemporary choreographer, Paul Lightfoot, develops a dance that encompasses the grief he felt at his father's COVID-related passing.

In between takes of Paul developing the dance and soloist Sebastian Haynes practicing movements, Paul talks candidly about the grief and emptiness that came after his father died. Without being able to go to a proper funeral and truly say goodby to his father, Paul makes an attempt to interpret his mourning through dance. With sweeping, emotive choreography that gets broken down, distilled, and then performed, Unspoken is a reflection of not only Paul’s emotions, but those of many who have lost friends, family, and loved ones during this time. 

Directed by William Armstrong, who first connected with Paul over Instagram, the piece was remotely filmed at the peak of lockdown restrictions in Denmark and the Netherlands, where the dancer and choreographer were located, respectively. The film would be something far less without the work of Alexander McKenzie, the composer who developed the original score for the piece.