Noppera-bo

This short film arose out of contemplations on the entwining issues of masks and anonymity. In ancient lore, Noppera-bo is a faceless ghost, a fantastical creature that sows fear. Noppera-bo seems to have re-emerged in the midst of this global pandemic; a time when masks and face coverings, whether worn for health or cultural reasons, has become political, where anonymity protects faceless people who spread disinformation and hate through institutions and cyberspace, and fear and distrust are triggered by an unseen virus that can be carried by people who do not know they are contagious.

Choreographer, Denise Fujiwara and director, William Yong worked intuitively, conjuring ideas into movement and startling imagery resulting in this haunting short dance film, Noppera-bo. Commissioned by Toronto dance presenter, Older & Reckless, it won a One-Reeler Short Film Competition 2020 Award of Excellence in Los Angeles, was selected for the National Art Centre’s Capsule project in 2021 and InShadow Lisbon Screendance Festival in 2022.