The Soraya Presents DIAVOLO’s New Dance Film

Photo Credit: (L to R) Derion Loman (Performer), Aaron Mendez (Co-Director, Cinematographer, Editor) | Image courtesy of CSUN/The Soraya

Catch the latest in The Soraya’s online performance series with a screening of This is Me: Letters from the Front Lines, a dance film by DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion on Friday, July 31 at 4 pm.

This is Me explores “how the current climate of isolation has encouraged us to look within ourselves.” Following the paths of first responders and military veterans, This is Me captures the spirit of hope and resilience in the face of an invisible enemy. The screening will mark DIAVOLO’s fourth engagement with The Soraya, formally known as the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of California State University, Northridge.

“Even though these men and women do not like to be called heroes, we consider them to be,” DIAVOLO founder and artistic director Jacques Heim (Dance MFA 91) was quoted in a recent LA Dance Chronicle article:

They sacrificed their lives for a giant cause – their country and its people. Who can do that? I cannot do that. It is beyond courage, and the reason we’re in the land of the free, because all those men and women gave their lives. Beyond thanking them for their service, we have to embrace them as our brothers and sisters, as part of our own family. The work and mission of DIAVOLO and this film, This is Me, is about celebrating humanity. Veterans and COVID 19 responders are beautiful humans. That has to be shown.

DIAVOLO, founded by Heim in 1992, is an innovative dance company known for melding modern dance and acrobatics with architectural sets. The company has enjoyed incredible acclaim in both local and international dance stages since its inception. DIAVOLO are also known for their stint as finalists on Season 12 of America’s Got Talent.

Catch the This is Me viewing on The Soraya’s official Facebook event at 4 pm.