To Make Our People Dance

(2024)

Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor

19:24

In this documentary, three DJs explore their practice, queerness, identity, and relation to Chicago's underground and club scenes.

Chicago is the birthplace of house music. This history has created a richness in the club and dance scene that continues today. Three local (and national / international) DJs, Blesstonio, Miss Twink USA and Nanoos, speak about their experiences being queer DJs of color in the city, what it means to hold space for the community and the difficulties they face doing this.

To Make Our People Dance explores the beauty in the queer club scene that has always been there, but has often been overlooked by prejudices of party culture. Safe spaces to dance are crucial for people, particularly marginalized, to feel a sense of liberation in a world that continues to be violent towards them. 

Cast

Antonio Robles-Levine

Nancy Bartekian

Del Hale

Crew

Jayme Jun, A.D.

Debs Akinlade, Camera Operator

Qwayed Achan Akuei, Camera Operator

Raymond Chen, Camera Operator

Spencer Farrell, Audio Recordist

Angelina Cofer, Audio Recordist

Emiko Akiyama, Audio Recordist

June Carter, Camera Operator

Roman Le, BTS Photographer

Tonal Simmons, Camera Operator

Film Poster