"A poignant exploration of homelessness and the transformative power of art. 'Dance of the Unseen' moves its audience beyond conventional narratives." - The Guardian | "This documentary is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a lens into the lives of Tokyo's invisible citizens through dance." - The New York Times
Homelessness and Resilience • Artistic Expression as Salvation • Community and Belonging • The Power of Letting Go • Cultural Context of Homelessness in Japan • Personal Stories of Transformation • Challenging Social Stigmas • The Role of Art in Social Issues
Date of Completion: 2023 | Run Time: 52 minutes | Language: English & Japanese with English subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director: Wataru Miura | Producer: Nobuyuki Sasaki | Executive Producer: Ken-ichi Imamura | Cinematographer: Hitoshi Sakurada | Editor: Kenji Maejima | Sound mixing: So Takagi
Tokuchika Nishi, a 40-year-old homeless man, lives on the streets in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. He dreamed of becoming a dancer but ended up homeless due to relationship issues, debt, and losing ties with his family. He even viewed death as inevitable. However, he discovered Newcomer H Sokerissa, a dance group consisting of individuals with experiences of homelessness. The choreographer, Yuki Aoki, who is currently 50 years old, founded Sokerissa after experiencing 9/11 while studying dance in New York. The group includes Matsuyoshi Koiso, a 70-year-old man who ran away from his wife and job, and Shuichiro Hirakawa, a 49-year-old who became homeless after fleeing from an abusive father. Aoki is interested in the 'bodily expressions' of these people who have given up everything. While some are supportive, the group faces disparaging comments such as 'I don't understand it' and 'Why don’t you work if you can dance?' Aoki, however, accepts and welcomes these outcasts, offering them a way to live. Through dance, the members of Sokerissa reclaim 'life'."
The Guardian
""A poignant exploration of homelessness and the transformative power of art. 'Dance of the Unseen' moves its audience beyond conventional narratives." - The Guardian."
The New York Times
"This documentary is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a lens into the lives of Tokyo's invisible citizens through dance."