Dance Permit (Denied)

Claudix Vanesix was born female and now lives as a non-binary trans person. This means it is impossible for them to take part in Los Negritos de Sipsa, a traditional Peruvian dance that is passed down in their family from father to son—thereby excluding them from part of their own culture.

In this fusion of theatrical dance performance and 360 documentary, Vanesix questions the exclusive rights of men in Peruvian society. Vanesix demands a place for themself in that society and then occupies it by performing the dance naked, so that everyone can see that the dancer is not a man.

The set for this defiant act is linked to the mountainous landscape of Peru and to the church, which still wields a powerful influence. Vanesix also interviews their father and brother about the exclusion of non-men. It is striking that the older generation is far milder in its  judgement than the younger one, who initially seemed more tolerant.