UNEXPECTED LESSONS 1: Germaine Acogny – The Essence of Dance

Rooted in traditional West African dances and engaged with European dance forms, she developed her own Acogny technique.

“Germaine Acogny – The Essence of Dance” is a feature-length documentary by director Greta-Marie Becker about the world-famous dancer and choreographer.

Born in Benin and raised in Senegal, Acogny studied in Paris and traveled the world for more than five decades. Her unique dance technique has been incorporated into the international canon of modern dance. At nearly 82 years old, she still dances today and encourages new generations of African and international dancers at her unique school, l’École des Sables, in Senegal.

The film, which will have its Berlin premiere on May 25 at Radialsystem, kicks off the series UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound from May 2026 to February 2027 with two performances of Germaine Acogny’s solo piece “Somewhere at the Beginning.”

The film’s audience accompanies dance icon Germaine Acogny on stage, witnessing her being honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Dance Biennale in 2021 and with the Grand Prix de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 2023. The protagonist’s dynamic present and her remembered past are interwoven through documentary scenes, carefully selected archival footage, and dance sequences staged specifically for the film.