Can dance serve as a catalyst for social change? Professor Patrick Alcedo from York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD), explores this question in his feature-length documentary, A Will To Dream.
The film offers a moving exploration of the struggles faced by underprivileged youth in the Philippines who study dance while confronting issues such as teenage pregnancy, illegal drugs, precarity of labour and the challenges of inconsistent governmental support in poverty alleviation.
These themes are closely tied to Alcedo’s approach as he teaches in AMPD’s Dance program, where he challenges students to push the limits of performance art.
“I invite my students to critically examine their own status in life and their lived realities, whether they come from a place of privilege or the margins,” says Alcedo. “I then encourage them to use performance—dance, in my case—as a tool to simultaneously comment on inequalities and intervene in ways that create positive change in the communities they are part of or have chosen to engage with."
Mixing traditional and modern elements is at the core of Alcedo’s work. In the “Philippine Folk Dance and Culture” course, he blends traditional dances with the real-life experiences of Filipino dance practitioners.
“One of the most powerful ways to retell these lives is through documentary films. Over the years, my films have been shaped by these narratives, folding them in as partners in my teaching of Philippine folk dances.”
Alcedo encourages his students to step beyond traditional academic boundaries by integrating diverse forms of expression. He believes that combining physical performance with writing, visuals and sound creates a richer, more layered understanding of complex social issues.
Film Screening Schedule & Details
The film will be showcased at the Nick Mirkopolous Screening Room (Accolade East Building, Room 004) on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. as part of the Southeast Asian film festival, Echoes of Southeast Asia: A Film Showcase
The film has garnered several accolades, including an Official Selection from Los Angeles International Film Festival (LAIFF), Asia’s Best Independent Documentary Film from All Asian Independent Film Festival, and Best Film or Video Prize from the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD).