‘Silent Legacy’: Choreographer Sibiry Konate Is Torn Between Europe and Africa (Exclusive Trailer)
Sibiry Konate, a contemporary dance choreographer of African descent who wants to bring balance to an unbalanced world, gets a close-up in Silent Legacy, a feature documentary from writers-directors Jenni Kivistö and Jussi Rastas that will world premiere in the Locarno Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique) on Aug. 12, the independent section created by the Swiss Association of Film Journalists in partnership with the Locarno Film Festival.
Konate is from Burkina Faso and now lives in Finland. In search of connection and meaning between and torn between his old and new home countries, he decides to give a valuable gift to his village in Africa.
The documentary, mixing observational style and contemporary, explores identity, migration, and colonial legacies “against the backdrop of the European migration crisis,” promising “deep insight into the complex situation of migrants and … how Europe’s colonial past still shapes their identities.”
The movie also shows “ultimately how the presence of the European filmmakers unintentionally influences reality.”
You Might Also Like
After having lived in Europe for more than 10 years, the choreographer feels more detached from Western life and looks for a way to reconnect with his home village in West Africa. However, in Burkina Faso, he is “seen as a privileged European, a blessed person, who could solve many financial problems,” highlights a synopsis. “In reality, being a choreographer doesn’t pay well, and Sibiry has to work in a mail delivery center to make a living. As financial requests from Burkina Faso continue to build up, Sibiry feels he has become a synonym for money, whilst he himself has a profound need to regain a sense of belonging. Struggling with the pressures, Sibiry decides to give a remarkable gift to his home village.”
Known for working on creative documentaries with social themes, directors Kivistö and Rastas previously co-directed Colombia in My Arms, an examination of the controversial peace deal between the Colombian government and the Marxist-Leninist FARC guerrillas.
Silent Legacy was produced by new Finnish production company Väki Films, run by Rastas, in co-production with Ellis Films in France and Pilumpiku Production in Burkina Faso, with support from the Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK, CNC, Procirep – Angoa, Aalto University/Department of Film ELO, and the Church Media Foundation.
A local release for the film in Finland is scheduled for spring 2026.
The trailer for Silent Legacy, which THR can exclusively premiere below, shows Konate looking to connect with people on two continents, dealing with the pressures of financial and other expectations, facing discussions about whether change is possible – and, of course, dancing.
Check out the Silent Legacy trailer below.
