
Theatre / Black Lives Matter
Monologues and vignettes inspired by Black Lives Matter movement
A final year acting student at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is the writer and director of a powerful new short film.
Lionelle Nsarhaza made I Can’t Breathe in response to the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The composite digital piece of monologues and performance vignettes was performed, filmed and edited over lockdown by a diverse collective of artists.
is needed now More than ever
“I was motivated to write and produce these pieces as a visceral response from millions around the world and the global movement George Floyd created,” said 24-year-old Lionelle, who currently lives in Clifton Village but is originally from Bolton.
“It is my desire that what we, as a global society, experienced and learned will continue to resonate and reverberate.
“These days, people are often and easily regarded in blanket and unfair, dangerous stereotypes. I want to continue using the humanising power of the theatre platform to explore this truth creatively and broadly.
“As a young black woman, this project allowed me a chance to voice my experiences and feelings about the systemic racism that pervades this country, that is so often unseen to those with the privilege to look away.”

“I think it is vital that this piece be shared to continue the momentum created in the wake of the protests,” says Lionelle Nsarhaza – photo: YouTube / Lionelle Nsarhaza
Main photo: YouTube / Lionelle Nsarhaza
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