2020 - 2021?

"2020 - 2021?" illuminates the social and emotional challenges we face individually and as a community, by reminding us of the hope and resilience in the human spirit -- awe-inspiring, even in the face of the COVID pandemic.

  • Leslie Yusuke Watanabe
    Director
    Cityscape, Journey, Luna
  • Leslie Yusuke Watanabe
    Writer
    Journey, Citiscape, Whispers,
  • Leslie Yusuke Watanabe
    Producer
    Cityscape, Journey
  • Gabi E. Hamlin
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Allison Engelstad
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Moises Martinez Trejo
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Anna Rose R. Deardorff
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Susie K. Krall
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Garett P. Gangelhoff
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Alia Takashima
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Emma Bucher
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Keith Macadangdang
    Film Crew
  • Jesse Rivera Johnson
    Film Crew
  • Madelynne Thomas
    Film Crew
  • Leslie Y. Watanabe
    Film Crew
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Dance, Pandemic
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 4, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Art Film Awards - Monthly Competition
    Skopje 1000
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    December 2, 2021
    Cinematheque of North Macedonia
    Finalist
  • Mysuru International Film Festival (MyIFF
    Sunaka Nivas, Gayathripuram Mysuru, Karnataka 570019
    India
    October 23, 2021
    October 23, 2021
    Best Editing for Short Feature
Director Biography - Leslie Yusuke Watanabe

Leslie Watanabe is the director of Cine-Dance Productions, LLC. For the past 15 years, Leslie has been producing promos, audition demos and performance videos for dancers, universities and schools in the Pacific Northwest. He is currently a NTT Asst. Prof. of Dance at Western Oregon University and Adjunct Faculty at University of Portland.
His professional career spans 50 years and includes Master classes and residencies at theatres, universities, conservatories and dance festivals nationally and throughout Europe.
In addition to his expansive career as a dance educator, Mr. Watanabe has had an illustrious career as a performer. He was soloist in the companies of: Donald McKayle, Lar Lubovitch, Joyce Trisler, Alvin Ailey II, Burch Mann Folk Ballet, Sachiyo Ito Japanese Dance and with Peter Goss in Paris, France. He also performed on Broadway, television, rock concerts and nightclubs.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

From the beginning of the Pandemic, as the entire world was in lockdown, I showed individuals isolated in their own space, The next phase was the initial cautionary foray outside of the home into the world where the Pandemic reigned. Each progression, several months apart, brought it's own emotional challenges and then gradually, slowly more confidence. In the face of this continuing Covid Pandemic, I want to show the resiliency and hope of the human spirit.

Leslie Watanabe