What I Will

Johan Grimonprez

United States, Belgium

2013

1 min

Retrospective: Johan Grimonprez

Synopsis

“I will not dance to your war drum,” declares poet and activist Suheir Hammad, an American of Palestinian descent, in her poem “What I Will.” “I know that beat. It is lifeless.”

This short video was published in 2013, an excerpt and alternative kind of trailer for Johan Grimonprez’s Shadow World, based on Andrew Feinstein’s eponymous book on the global arms trade. Hammad recites her poem in the piece, a powerful expression of dissent that ends with a glimmer of hope. Grimonprez accompanies it with archival footage of the sabre-rattling of military parades and anti-aircraft guns.

Tickets & Times

Accessibility

Fri, november 15

Part of Retrospective: Johan Grimonprez Shorts,

20:45 – 22:17

Het Documentaire Paviljoen: De Spiegel

Thu, november 21

Part of Retrospective: Johan Grimonprez Shorts

15:45 – 17:00

Pathé City 4

Sat, november 23

Part of Retrospective: Johan Grimonprez Shorts

17:15 – 18:30

Rialto VU: Zaal 4

Credits

1 min

color

DCP

Spoken languages: English

Director

Johan Grimonprez

Production

Dillywood, Inc.,

Louverture Films,

Final Cut for Real,

Onomatopee Films,

ITVS

Dillywood, Inc.,

Louverture Films,

Final Cut for Real,

Onomatopee Films,

ITVS

Editing

Pedro Collantes de Teran Bayonas,

Sarah D'hanens

Pedro Collantes de Teran Bayonas,

Sarah D'hanens

Screenplay

Suheir Hammad

Narrator

Suheir Hammad

More from the program section Retrospective: Johan Grimonprez

In homage to our Guest of Honor, IDFA presents seven films by critically acclaimed artist and filmmaker Johan Grimonprez. With his singular exploration into present-day media, his work examines how our collective imagination shapes our understanding of historical events.

View program section