Filipa Francisco works with people and their individual or community characteristics with passion. She is also an interventionist artist attentive to human rights, as we’ve seen in her representations of domestic violence (Nu Meio), of women in the Republic (Para Onde Vamos?) and of the social exclusion of prisoners (Rexistir). In the works with the young women of Cova da Moura (Íman) and the folk groups (A Viagem) the preciousness of cultural difference is evident. These demanding adventures harmonize satire and beauty and convey the value of art in experiencing and participating in life. With Companhia Maior the choreographer praises the latent strength of these bodies we consider fragile and gives voice to people who want to talk about what is happening in the world.

Paula Varanda

The invitation to work with Companhia Maior came when I was in Águeda working with two folk dance groups.

I’d been wanting to meet Companhia Maior and have the experience of co-creating and choreographing for these bodies for a long time.

The meeting was held through a week-long workshop at Centro Cultural de Belém. Then came the title Força — it could also have been 24 titles representing each person.

The strongest image, sensation I had during that week was the duet with Iva, in a sensory exercise of touch and memory. An apparently fragile and delicate body contained a strength. Her hands and her words made me dance.

This was the beginning, working from dance memories within our bodies, past and recent, professional and social, dances that affected us and speak of affection.

I suggested they start with an idea, with several ideas about what the piece should be, but in a vacuum. That’s where we will discover what we want to say, through intuition, experimentation, research, improvisation, composition and the construction of a dramaturgy —  thinking and doing together.

Iva said: “Don't put us in a grave and say: breathe!”. Celeste said: “I am capable, I am here with open wings for everyone”. “There are no young nor old, there is the imprecision of hope that the world is not on the brink of catastrophe”. “We are a force, an interventionist force, that wants to talk about what is happening in the world. Culture is a threat and I want to fight”.

Filipa Francisco