Choreographed by Akram Khan and directed by Naaman Azhari, this powerful short film tells the story of two men with a passion for dance who reconnect through the tragedy of the pandemic.

Forced apart in childhood by the expectations of their cultures and the disapproval of their fathers, two men with a passion for dance reconnect through the tragedy of the pandemic.

Breathless Puppets is a powerful short film choreographed by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Akram Khan and directed by Naaman Azhari. It uses rotoscope animation, created by hand-drawing over live action footage, some of which was filmed in Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Breathless Puppets premiered in July 2021 as part of Manchester International Festival’s Postcards From Now film series. National Youth Dance Company alumni Ashton Hall and Robbie Ordona play the young protagonists.

Commissioned by Sadler’s Wells, Manchester International Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Théâtre du Châtelet and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Produced by Manchester International Festival. Breathless Puppets is part of the Postcards From Now series commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Théâtre du Châtelet and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.