Sofia’s Story

Choreography: Miriam Neri

Dancers: Yasmina Baji, Sotiris Adrian Tanase

Music: Doriano Neri 

Filming & Editing: Miriam Neri

This piece is inspired by a true story that happened last year in Italy. A seven month pregnant woman was killed by her boyfriend, and it was later revealed that he had tried to poison her previously. I decided to address this topic because every day we hear about episodes of violence against women, and this makes us understand that despite progress, women have still not achieved equality and respect in society. I believe we are still in a patriarchal society. In this project, I took inspiration from the woman's story, and the dancer is filmed mostly at home, and we witness her suffering. Her hands are tied as if to suggest she is in a mental trap and a relationship she cannot escape. She sees herself suffering and perceives the aggression against her, and realises there is something wrong with her partner. During the choreography we see the contradiction in their relationship; they dance together, he pushes her away - they are in a toxic relationship from which they cannot free themselves. In the end, I decided to change the story from the original, the dancer survives and is finally free. This for me, is a message of hope to all those who have experienced or are experiencing this type of situation, and to ask for help to be able to free themselves from a violent 'love'.