KONZEPT & IDEE
Emmanuel Musa Luka, Rainer Westphal
TANZ
Samuel M. Ekeh, Sergio Verano, Emmanuel Musa Luka
TRAILER
Culture is a person’s beliefs, values, and norms within a given racial or ethnic group. It impacts certain ideas and behaviors and directly relates to the meaning that people attach to their illness. Culture also affects whether people seek help, what type of help they seek, and their coping style and support. Social norms guide socially acceptable behavior and form the framework that guides how Men experiencing mental illness internalize public attitudes that may lead to embarrassment and shame. For example, mental health illness is considered a taboo topic in the Black, Latin and Arabic communities. Those experiencing mental health issues are often considered weak, broken, and not strong enough. dating back, African, Latin and Arabian men were misled by ancient, created norms into believing that talking about your feeling or Crying is considered weakness. As a result, you may see that those ascribing to the cultures may find it difficult to accept a mental health problem or diagnosis and seek help. Because of culture stigma, underrepresented persons are left to find mental health treatment and support alone, if at all. Because cultural influences have an impact on perceptions of mental health, understanding the role of culture in mental illness is important in developing strategic initiatives to improve the negative effects of mental health illness. Hence, MEN DON'T CRY..
MEN DON'T CRY is a Video/dance Installation, produced by Emmanuel Musa Luka and Rainer Westphal Lopez and Choreographed by Emmanuel Musa Luka. The piece is a deliberate awareness call to address the increasing cases of mental health issues faced by men around the world, because of the bottling of emotions and unresolved or not talked about grief or loss,due to societal constructs and Norms. Which in Return cause also depression and suicide which are ranked as a leading cause of death among men. One in five adults, an estimation of 43 millions men, experience a mental health illness worldwide.
Synopsis
The inability to show emotions as taught to MEN, by Society who created these Norms and beliefs, Cause a lot of the mental health issues that MEN in general but African, Latin, and Arabian men suffer from today. Because we were never taught to deal with grief, but only taught to forget or suppress it.
Tanzperformance
MEN DON‘T CRY
PREMIERE
Emmanuel M. Luka (Nigeria/Spanien)
SAMUEL M. EKEH lives and works from Vienna, is a multifaceted artist known for his explorative approach to various forms of art. Drawing inspiration from his everyday experiences, he delves into political themes, integrating them into his work as an artist. He is the founder of Alapeleca Inc., Ekeh’s artistic repertoire extends beyond traditional mediums, as he is also recognized as a critical dancer and emerging choreographer, specializing in contemporary expressionism. He imbues his performances with abstract elements, inviting the audience to engage with his creative process. Ekeh's artistic journey has taken him across borders, as he has traveled to numerous countries to further explore and expand his creative abilities. Along his path, he has collaborated with a diverse array of international choreographers, dance theorists, teachers, researchers, and fellow artists, enriching his artistic perspective and contributing to the global artistic community.
SERGIO VERANO is a multidisciplinary Artist, Dancer, performer, painter... Born in Mexico City in 1984, studied in Spain , Italy and Berlin , where he has lived since 2008. He worked as a Dancer with the dance group Generation. Andere.Umstände, Clèbio Oliveira, Siciliano contemporary Ballet, as in different Oper in the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He danced in Boris Seewald Short Film Afterword, and TV Series Babylon Berlin. Since 2015 I have been teaching in different Studios and dance schools in Germany Like , Marameo, Tanz Fabrik, Kari Tanzhaus, VHS...
EMMANUEL MUSA LUKA In the 1990 while participating in School plays i discovered my Interest in Dancing and Acting. Finally in 2004 i took the Step to move to Lagos, Nigeria which is the Heart of the Entertainment Industry to become a Nollywood Actor. I participated in Various Productions such as "Blessings of the Beauty" and Sealed Lips on the Side of Monica Friday, a Nigerian Actress. Then in 2007 my Dancing Skills were discovered so i began to study, first at Dance Odey Academy, then at Dance Deal Foundation Nigeria to add dancing to my Acting Experience. That led to Engagements with various Big Musical Production such as Kakadu with whom we toured to selected African Countries. I also participated in Strelitzia, an Interactive Production which was invited to Play for the British Embassy in Hongkong. Shortly before i moved to Germany in 2017 to continue my Career the BBC Radio interviewed me as the first Nigerian who played naked on a Stage presenting my own Production "Evolution" I featured in Citadel a TV Series as well as Ballerina a John Wick Spin off Through a Cooperation with Karis Tanz Haus in Kempten i have played various Roles such as Caliban in The Tempest and Achilles in Troya. I have been considered funny, witty, charming but with a High Work Ethic.