Watch Queen Collective: Ballet After Dark

Queen Collective: Ballet After Dark is a compelling and emotionally charged documentary film that showcases the transformative power of dance, particularly ballet, in the lives of young women of color. The movie is directed by B. Monét, a Baltimore-born filmmaker, and produced by the Queen Collective, a nonprofit organization founded by Procter & Gamble and Queen Latifah that promotes and supports diverse women filmmakers.

The film follows the journey of Tyde-Courtney Edwards, a dancer and choreographer based in Richmond, Virginia. Edwards, who is also a survivor of sexual assault, created a ballet program called Ballet After Dark as a way to empower other survivors of trauma and abuse. Through her program, Edwards teaches young women how to use ballet as a means to heal from their past and find their inner strength.

The film begins with Edwards explaining the motivations behind her program. She reveals that she was inspired by her own personal struggles and how ballet became a form of therapy for her. By teaching young women who have experienced trauma how to dance, Edwards aims to help them reclaim their bodies and regain their sense of self-worth.

Through interview footage and close-ups of dancers in action, the movie paints a vivid picture of how Ballet After Dark operates. Edwards's program is designed to be inclusive and non-judgmental, with participants ranging from ages 16 to 30, and from all walks of life. The program is run out of Edwards's garage, which she has converted into a dance studio, and her sessions are usually attended by a small group of six to eight women.

The movie highlights the emotional struggles that the young dancers face as they learn to embrace themselves and their bodies. Many of them confess to feeling insecure about their bodies, especially after experiencing trauma or abuse. Edwards seeks to counter these feelings of self-doubt by teaching the women how to use ballet as a means to express themselves and feel empowered.

Throughout the movie, there are intimate and heartfelt moments where participants share their personal struggles and how the program has helped them heal. One dancer, who was sexually assaulted during college, says the program helped her feel that she could own her body again. Another participant, who had struggled with addiction, says that the program gave her a new sense of purpose and a community of supportive women who understand her.

The film also shows how the program has grown beyond Richmond, with Edwards offering training sessions to other women who want to teach Ballet After Dark in their communities. This training initiative has helped expand the program to other parts of the country, including Maryland and New York City.

The movie includes interviews with other notable individuals in the dance community, including Misty Copeland, the first African-American principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, who speaks about the importance of diversifying ballet and making it accessible to all. The film also explores the history of ballet and its exclusionary roots, highlighting the need for programs like Ballet After Dark to make ballet more accessible and inclusive.

Overall, Queen Collective: Ballet After Dark is a powerful film that highlights the healing power of dance and the resilience of young women who have experienced trauma. It inspires viewers to see the transformative nature of ballet and how it can provide a safe space for self-expression and healing. B. Monét's direction and editing, combined with the raw, emotional performances of the dancers, make this documentary a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power of art to change lives.