The film tells the story of renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey and traces the full arc of this brilliant and enigmatic man whose search for the truth in movement resulted in enduring dance choreography that centres on the Black American experience with grace, strength, and unparalleled beauty.

Through his work and life Ailey created a unique space in contemporary dance, and a lasting legacy in the Alvin Ailey Dance Company that remains a space where members of the Black community and other underrepresented groups can come together, create, and reflect their experiences.

Nothing prepares you for the experience of Ailey—the emotional, spiritual, aural, and visual overwhelm
the senses, Dir. Jamila Wignot

Told through Ailey’s own words with extensive, never seen, archival footage and interviews with those who intimately knew him, director Jamila Wignot weaves together a resonant biography of an elusive visionary.

…an educational journey, an uncompromising look into the challenges of an artistic life, and a tribute to the man whose studio and dance company still bear his name. Monica Castillo, July 2021, RogerEbert.com

Awards and Nominations

Nominee, Black Reel Awards, USA 2022 – Outstanding Documentary Nominee, GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, USA 2022 – Dorian Award, LGBTQ Documentary of the Year
Nominee, Image Awards (NAACP), USA 2022 – Image Award, Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Nominee, Sundance Film Festival, USA 2021 – Grand Jury Prize, Documentary, Official Selection Nominee, São Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil 2021 – New Directors Competition, Best Film, Official Selection