Better off Dead (2018)
Producer Talia Koylass and Gabriella Wiltz | Associate Producer Tyler Myles | Director Talia Koylass | Choreographer Talia Koylass | Director of Photography Andrea Kinnerk | Rehearsal Director Jasmin Taylor | Dancers Solomon Bowser and Nick Schrier
Better Off Dead is a powerful exploration of police brutality and the fraught relationship between Black communities and law enforcement. Loosely inspired by the tragic 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, the film delves into the historical and contemporary dynamics that shape this relationship. Through a blend of solo and partnered dance movements, Better Off Dead interrogates how police are perceived by people of color and vice versa, offering a visceral and thought-provoking narrative.
Better Off Dead premiered at the Co-Mission Festival of New Works in December of 2018 through a residency with Links Hall Chicago and in partnership with First Defense Legal Aid. The film was supported by grants from The Pollination Project and Illinois Arts Council Agency.