It was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and is set to ballet.
The dance film "WILD" is the work of Emmy-nominated choreographer Jeremy McQueen and his Black Iris Project. It tells the stories of Black and Brown young people in New York City who have grown up in juvenile detention centers in the Bronx.
WILD serves as a commentary on the need for prison reform and other social justice issues. Also, as part of a community and education initiative around WILD, Jeremy will work with young men in the Bronx to show them hope and beauty through dance and through art.
“I feel it is our duty as artists to be a catalyst for those that are unheard, unseen, and undervalued and I am committed to, now more than ever, dismantling those barriers through my art,” said McQueen. “This fervent effort stems from the need to address issues currently plaguing our nation from civil unrest to systemic oppression to the societal ripple effects of COVID-19. In order for us to heal as a society, we have to expose the wounds that have historically been overlooked.”
Founded by McQueen in 2016, The Black Iris Project is a ballet collaborative and education vehicle which creates classical and contemporary ballets that celebrate diversity and Black history. Based in New York City, the project hosts a team of predominantly artists of color delivering cross-disciplinary and original works. Part 1 of WILD can be seen at www.blackirisproject.org. There are three more segments. The next one will be released in March.