Flower is a short movement-based narrative film starring and produced by world-renowned ballerina and trailblazer Misty Copeland, which seeks to highlight intergenerational equity in American cities while bringing people to the dance performance experience. The film is set in Oakland, California and focuses on the growing housing crisis and homelessness problem people face there as well as nationwide. Through the parallels drawn between eldercare, dementia, and the erasure of the past, Flower shines light on the consequences of gentrification and the failure to maintain a community’s quality of life for all.

ACT 1

Performances by Babatunji Johnson, Krow, Angela Watson, Destiny Arts, and artists of Oakland Ballet Company.

ACT 2

Oakland premiere of Flower, introduced by Misty Copeland. The film is directed by Lauren Finerman and with music by Raphael Saadiq, starring Misty Copeland, Babatunji Johnson, and Christina Johnson with choreography by Alonzo King and Rich + Tone Talauega ft. Oakland-based TURF dancers.