What is the shape of a virus? To some, it’s a kiwi, to others, it’s a butterfly, a wart or an unnameable mass. In Embodied Chorus, filmmakers Danielle Davie and Mohamad Moe Sabbah bravely open a dialogue about living with sexually transmitted infections. Drawing from their own experiences and collaborating with five actors, they turn individual testimonials—recorded across the city of Beirut—into an ensemble of personal stories and transformations.
“My biggest fear is changing as a person… I feel like an outsider in my own self,” says one of the people. While the experiences are distinct—in languages, gender identities and sexual orientations—they share the emotions of shock, fear, anger and shame.
At times, the screen becomes a canvas that visualizes people’s inner worlds: images of metamorphosis, search engine results, a body consumed by darkness. Gradually, the conversations move towards recovery and change. Confusion and stigmatization fade away, as people find acceptance within themselves.
Stills
