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Amy’s Victory Dance, a documentary film by Emmy-nominee Brian Thomas, will premiere via an interactive online streaming platform on Sunday, April 5 at 7:30 pm as part of the 2020 ReelAbilities Film Festival. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Festival, which runs through April 5, is presenting all film screenings online. The uplifting and inspiring documentary follows the story of choreographer and dancer Amy Jordan, who, on a beautiful spring day in May 2009, was run over by a 15-ton New York City bus. As she regained awareness, she had no feeling on the right side of her body. Her first thought was, “Am I ever going to dance again?” Her second thought was "If I survive the night, there will be a Victory Dance." The film chronicles Amy’s triumphant path back to the stage after the near loss of her life and her leg. In addition to producing and choreographing, Amy prepares herself to dance again with her company, The Victory Dance Project. Thomas’s film embodies the physical, emotional and spiritual journey of a woman who doesn’t allow circumstances to dictate her life. It follows Amy as she manages her diabetes daily, navigates through New York City as a legally blind woman, and painstakingly maintains her rehabilitation. Her return to the stage was greeted with standing ovations and emotional tributes from the doctors who saved her life, and from the Tony Award-winning actress and dancer Chita Rivera. Amy Jordan’s training and career spans three decades of study and performances in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. She has studied classical ballet, jazz, modern dance and hip-hop with acclaimed choreographers Michael Peters, Michael Rooney, Joe Lanteri and many others. A diabetic since age 4, she overcame serious health issues and complications from juvenile diabetes. She became active in the diabetes prevention community and started the non-profit Sweet Enuff, to help obese kids deal with their diabetes through dance and exercise. It was a national top finalist for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “End Childhood Obesity Challenge.” Following an almost fatal bus accident in 2009, which crushed her leg and ended her career as a dancer, Amy founded The Victory Dance Project to prove that” The impossible is possible through the power of movement.” amyjordaninc.comBrian Thomas, an Emmy-nominated and award-winning director, has worked in all avenues of the business over the past 25 years. Originally from Michigan, Brian moved to NYC in 1993 to pursue a commercial dance and choreography career. He has had the pleasure to work with legends such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Usher, Tamia, Mary J. Blige, Pink, Jill Scott, Mya, Liza Minnelli, Destiny's Child, Deborah Cox, Ricky Martin and on many other live stage and television events. Brian’s education in film started at the School of Visual Arts in 2007, where he studied with directors Bob Giraldi, Todd Stephens and Fred Rendina. His directing credits include the documentary Amy's Victory Dance; Dark Matter, featuring world-renowned dancer Desmond Richardson; and many other music and artistic short films/videos. His awards include an Emmy Nomination for his choreography for the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special and an Emmy Recognition for multiple episodes of “Sesame Street.” brianthomasfilms.comThe 2020 ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York continues to raise the bar on accessibility and showcase talent from around the world dedicated to heightening awareness of the stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. The festival celebrates the diversity of our shared human experience through engaging films and events and encourages inclusion and responsible portrayals in cinema of people with disabilities, the most underrepresented minority in American media. As part of the ReelAbilities mission to deepen audience engagement with these topics, all screenings will be followed by conversations with filmmakers and other guests. ny.reelabilities.org. Amy’s Victory Dance will be live streamed online on Sunday, April 5 at 7:30 pm and will be available for viewing for 24 hours afterwards. Tickets are $5 and are available at https://reelabilities.org/newyork/film/amys-victory-dance.
Photo © & courtesy of Photographer Unknown |
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