Photo : Djlo Man Gnin Tché - © Hadisi Urban 1
Contemporary Dance & Documentary Screening with the Mois Kréyol Festival
Prepare for a deeply moving encounter with history and the body, blending contemporary dance with insightful documentary storytelling. This double bill invites you to reflect on identity, resilience, and the power of remembering through a raw and humanistic lens.
Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville (Paris 13th)
About
The Mois Kréyol festival takes over the Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, for an evening of contemporary dance and documentary cinema. From 19:00 to 21:00, experience the solo performance Djlo man gnin tché by Bonaventure Sossou, followed by a screening of Franck Salin's documentary, Citoyen bois d'ébène. This free event, fully wheelchair accessible and open to anyone aged 13 and older, concludes with a discussion with the film crew. Join this insightful exploration of memory and resilience in the heart of the 13th arrondissement.
DJLO MAN GNIN TCHÉ + CITOYEN BOIS D'ÉBÈNE
Contemporary dance & documentary screening
Bonaventure Sossou and Franck Salin
Djlo man gnin tché (Am I responsible?)
Performed and choreographed by Bonaventure Sossou, this contemporary dance solo traces the journey of a young man confronted with immigration, abuse, and life on the street. Through intense and sensitive choreographic writing, the artist delivers a deeply human narrative on the quest for identity, resilience, and the need for belonging.
Citoyen bois d'ébène (Citizen Ebony Wood)
Directed by Franck Salin, this documentary follows Dr. Emmanuel Gordien, founder of the CM98, in his endeavor to restore names and history to the descendants of slaves from the Antilles. Between Guadeloupe, France, and Benin, the film explores the issues of memory, transmission, and reconciliation through a personal and collective investigation.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film crew.
Our take on this event
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville presents a dual artistic program running from 19:00 to 21:00. The event opens with the contemporary dance solo Djlo man gnin tché, choreographed and performed by Bonaventure Sossou. Through intense and delicate movement, the piece depicts a young man’s journey through migration and street life, reflecting on the universal needs for identity and belonging.
Following the performance, the documentary Citoyen bois d'ébène by Franck Salin will be screened. The film follows Dr. Emmanuel Gordien, founder of CM98, in his vital quest to restore names and histories to the descendants of enslaved people from the Antilles. Connecting Guadeloupe, France, and Benin, the film examines themes of memory and collective reconciliation. A Q&A session with the film's team will follow the screening.
The event is free to attend and accessible to wheelchair users. It is suitable for audiences aged 13 and up.
