Naked Blue

Directed by Mati Diop, Manon Lutanie

Naked Blue was developed through a collaboration with Oumy Bruni Garrel, the film’s protagonist, and Devonté Hynes, who composed its score (performed by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra). From this combined star power emerges a work of startling intimacy, which follows then-13-year-old Oumy’s choreographed movements through a studio set painted an underwater blue, as she dances in front of mirrors and salutes an imaginary audience. Under the blazing lights and swelling music, her performance recalls a screen test or dance film—but the resulting work breaks free from the proscenium frame typical of those genres. — Museum of Modern Art