On September 15, 2024, I had the honor of joining a panel discussion at kult.kino in Basel following the screening of the powerful documentary film “Resilient Man”. The evening was part of the kino.talk series—a space dedicated to critical conversations and community engagement through the lens of cinema.
Moderated by the incredible Claudia Toggweiler, the panel brought together three different voices from the creative and wellness communities: Sarah-Jane Brodbeck, a yoga teacher and trauma-informed coach, Marco Volta, a passionate advocate for mental health and somatic practices, and myself, representing the world of dance and performance.
“Resilient Man” is more than a film—it’s a raw, unfiltered exploration of masculinity, vulnerability, healing, and identity. The documentary follows a group of men confronting the layers of conditioning and silence that often surround emotional expression in male spaces. Through group therapy, movement, and honest dialogue, they begin the process of unpacking trauma and rebuilding emotional resilience.
The film resonated deeply with me, not only as a man but also as an artist who believes in the power of movement and storytelling to heal and transform.
During the panel, we spoke about how the themes of the film mirrored our own professional and personal journeys. I shared stories from my work at the Braswell Arts Center, where I witness young people struggling with the same emotional blocks explored in the film. Dance often becomes their first language of vulnerability, their first form of release.
What made the discussion so powerful was how it bridged different practices—yoga, psychology, and dance—all converging on the same message: we must allow space for softness, for processing, for transformation.
Participating in this panel was a reminder of how urgent and necessary these conversations are. We are living in a time where strength is being redefined—not as stoicism or toughness, but as the courage to face ourselves fully.
A huge thank you to kult.kino for hosting such an impactful event and to my fellow panelists for their honesty, expertise, and presence. These are the kinds of conversations that plant seeds—for individuals, for communities, and for future generations.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep dancing. Let’s keep healing.
