“Ghostly Labor” explores the history of labor in the US–Mexico borderlands through Tap Dance, Mexican Zapateado, Son Jarocho, Afro Caribbean movement, and live music. This work brings together polyrhythmic movement and an original score to look at the (ongoing) years of systemic exploitation of labor while highlighting the power and joy of collective resistance. The full-length dance theater production of Ghostly Labor will premiere at Brava Theater in November 2023.
“Ghostly Labor: A Dance Film” is a short dance film created during the pandemic to share the stories of Bay Area farm workers with the world. Co-directed by John Jota Leaños and Vanessa Sanchez, this film is based on farmworker interviews in California, this work honors the sacred hands that feed us and was filmed on Avila Garcia Farms with support from Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS), a non-profit advocacy organization for farmworkers in Half Moon Bay, CA. “Ghostly Labor: A Dance Film“ has been selected for Film Festivals across the world, including the Dance Camera West Film Festival, Wild Sound Film Festival (winner of best Film), the San Souci Film Festival of Dance Cinema, the Experimental Dance & Music Film Festival (winner of Best Sound & Music), & Encontre Internacional de Videodansa in Valencia, Spain!
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF FILM SCREENINGS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS!
Listen to co-directors Vanessa Sanchez & John Jota Leaños in a podcast with the Experimental Film festival director.
To inquire about screening the film, please fill out our booking form.