off-leash area: Crimes & Whispers

WINNER 2006 IVEY AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY IN A THEATRE PRODUCTION Crimes & Whispers (2006) In Buenos Aires there is an ongoing struggle for control over the memory of the disappeared, the thousands of innocent citizens kidnapped, tortured and murdered in the 1970's and 80's by a vicious military junta unrepentant in their patriotic defense of national security. It is a struggle between this same military establishment, the mothers and grandmothers of the disappeared, and a general public blinded by fear and apathy to the tearing asunder of their proud and passionate culture.
	Crimes and Whispers is a unique theatrical dance collaboration that fuses the acrobatic modern dance choreography of Gerry Girouard, the theatrical imagination of Off-Leash Area and master Tango dancer and Buenos Aires native Florencia Taccetti.
	After the brutal military coup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1976, tens of thousands of citizens were slowly and haphazardly kidnapped, tortured and murdered. At the apex of this mania, Argentina hosted and won the World Cup for soccer in 1978, while 10 blocks from the stadium "subversives" were tortured to death. At night helicopters secretly dropped their human cargo into the ocean. Mothers also ‘disappeared’ and were tossed into the ocean only after their babies were born in captivity and then given to the Junta’s henchmen to raise with proper "Argentine Values." A population in terror and denial chose to accept the inevitable and survive; while stories of the ‘disappeared’ survived only in rumors.
This true story about the struggle between power and justice is a universal metaphor for any people faced with an overwhelmingly powerful government who calls for war and patriotism, and a public too afraid to question authority.
	Conceived & Developed by - Gerry Girouard, Jennifer Ilse, Paul Herwig, and Florencia Taccetti Choreographed by - Gerry Girouard and Jennifer Ilse Directed by Jennifer Ilse Scenic Design & Construction - Paul Herwig Lighting Design - Paul Epton Composition and Sound Design - Chris Cunningham Cast: 9 Duration: 80 minutes