Be Bold, Be Brave - A Leeds 5 Film

We are so proud to see our very own RJC Dance Director, Kathy Williams OLY in a new short film, 'Be Bold, Be Brave', featuring the 'Leeds Five' - five Black & Brown Female cultural leaders operating in Leeds in the North of England. Kathy asked RJC Dance Youth Provision alumna Tashi Brown for her perspective on the film, which tackles how art is a tool for social change which can disrupt the usual narratives and systems in place. Tashi, who has a BA hons in Media Make-Up and Special Effects, has worked in embalming and is now an entrepreneur. Discover her reflections in this article, and watch the film here:

The title 'Be Bold, Be Brave' speaks for itself and these five extraordinary women have certainly captured that in this artistic piece.

The dark, murky backdrop speaks more than the art to me. For me, it represented the times we are living in, especially for women of colour. I am not sure if this was intended but it certainly made me think about the dark streets of Britain, the dark times creatives can find themselves in and the association with black “doors being shut” “no light being shown” for women of colour, at times. The darkness in the challenges faced by creatives on a whole and the struggles visionaries find, trying to find that light.

However the contrast with the colours stood out to me. The opening segment “Be Bold Be Brave” in the bright yellow and black font gave me life and instantly caught my attention, being curious about what was going to come next. The upbeat yet mellow rhythm playing in the background was playful but yet serious at the same time. Beautifully composed, intentionally setting the mood and feel for the piece.

The moment I saw all five women sat on the sofa it made me think of unity, not only amongst women but amongst creatives and women of colour who seemed calmed by each other’s presence. In psychology, to dream of a sofa represents “family, and symbolises a comfortable life, preserving oneself in every situation“ (dreamglossary.com/sofa). This really resonated with me seeing the sofa and the women placed comfortably together on it. It spoke a million words.

Another stand-out moment was how beautiful all the women looked, showcasing there uniqueness and individuality, shining through with their bright clothing and great textures. Showing their vibrant personalities, each woman sitting equally in their own truth and confidence, sharing their thoughts and feeling unapologetically. It made me want to know more about each woman sitting there on that sofa.

The picture frame had me captivated. I thought this was a very clever and playful way of incorporating a simple prop which gave each woman the mic, so to speak. For me, the sofa represented unity but the frame was all about that individuality, in that moment forcing me to focus on the individual rather than the collective. Giving the audience the opportunity to really focus on them as an individual and as their own entity. The frame made me think about perceptions, how people view us, and ask 'what’s behind the picture?' Plus the connotation of 'fitting in a box'. My mind at that point had me thinking about the women’s stories, what were they thinking. I asked myself, what more did they want to say?

The items each person was holding had me wondering what the significance was. Did the atlas represent anything in particular, and the same with the vinyl record? I think art should make you question what you are witnessing - it’s meant to be provoking. In every frame with all the women I thought the same thing ..... I wanted to know more about the person in the frame.

From an artistic perspective I loved the royal gold frame. To me it represented the worth in all these women, it complimented the rich colours in their clothes and skin tones and complimented the dark background.
Being a local Leeds woman, I enjoyed seeing the historically and meaningful landscapes, such as Leeds Kirkgate market, Mandela centre and Northern School of Contemporary Dance. It really tied the entire piece together, reconnecting it to Leeds, where these women are celebrated for their achievements. I felt it added value and significance to the piece, making it even more relatable to its viewers.

Overall I thought the piece was beautifully directed and created. I could see the amount of effort which was taken into creating the film. The subtle cultural references, the way each woman stood in their own beauty and confidence but yet united.

I am excited to see what else this team of powerful creatives produce in the future, inspiring and motivating a new generation.

Well done ladies for such an achievement I look forward to viewing all your accomplishments.

Sweetest regards

Tashi Brown

Learn more about the Be Bold, Be Brave film and the Leeds Five group on the Leeds 2023 website.