Decolonising Collective Futures Through Capoeira

Programmed by Film Pardna

How can we reimagine, reclaim and decolonise collective pasts and futures through Capoeira?

Birmingham based collective Film Pardna have curated an event that will explore answers to this question. Beginning by introducing Capoeira with a live demonstration followed by a screening of their locally produced short film The Glow of N’Golo and Brazilian martial arts feature film Besouro.

The Glow of N’Golo is a short film which Film Pardna made in 2024, filmed at Nightlife Outreach where the event takes place. The film explores themes of ancestral connection and reclaiming a narrative of unity amongst the African diaspora, as well as raising awareness of African martial arts.

Besouro is a feature film about a young Capoerista in Brazil during the 1920s. A decolonial narrative is presented, exploring the importance of Capoeira in Brazil in uniting the oppressed African diaspora.

Capoeiristas and members of Film Pardna Juice Aleem and Denise Amory-Reid will join us for a discussion after the screening, reflecting on the films and their relevance to decolonising collective futures.

As an offshoot of Afroflux, Film Pardna is a collective centring community-led filmmaking as a method to interrogate modes of film production and representation.