The 17th annual edition of Nu Dance Fest 2022 festival includes a video installation of a dance film Leviah by the German-based Israeli artist Reut Shemesh. As a complementary event to the video installation, we present a masterclass conceived as a guided discussion about the film.

Reut Shemesh is a rising star and one of the most notable members of the emerging generation of contemporary dance on the German scene. Her short film Leviah explores vulnerability, strength and helplessness. Shemesh shares her memories of her service in Israeli army and reveals a phenomenon that is not often stated: she describes the emotional difficulties and despair that female soldiers experience in their service in lower military ranks. The film explores the boundaries between dance, video and poetry, vulnerability and control, the transition from man to mechanism, the collision between the present and the past, and the impact of political processes on the psyche of an individual.

Reut Shemesh was born and raised in Israel. She is currently based in Germany and specialises in contemporary dance, poetry and experimental film. Her works have been exhibited and performed at the Tanzhaus nrw Düsseldorf, Kampnagel Hamburg, Tanzhaus Zurich, Suzanne Dellal Center Tel Aviv, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Theater Lab NYC and Korzo Theater in The Hague. She has been visiting lecturer at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, the University of Cologne, the University of Düsseldorf (HSD) and the Zentrum für Zeitgenössischen Tanz in Cologne.

LEVIAH is a performance-film about vulnerability, power and powerlessness. The choreographer Reut Shemesh shares a collection of memories from her service in the Israeli military, and brings into awareness a phenomenon that has not often been spoken about: the emotional difficulties and despair that female soldiers experience in junior positions. Many of them suffer from a loss of control, eating disorders, and endure sexual harassment. The film tests the borders between dance, video and poetry, vulnerability and control, the transition from human to mechanic and the collision between present and past. LEVIAH brings into light the effect of political processes on the individual psyche.

Discussants: Reut Shemesh, Petra Fornayová
Host: Michael Papcun