Germaine Acogny is the “mother of contemporary African dance” and one of Africa’s most significant artistic voices. Rooted in traditional West African dances and influenced by European dance forms, she developed her very own Acogny technique. More than 50 years of success on stage and her work as a mentor for young dancers have made the 81-year-old a dance icon of an entire continent. Together with her German husband Helmut Vogt, she established one of the most important schools for contemporary dance: her “L’École des Sables”.

“GERMAINE ACOGNY – THE ESSENCE OF DANCE tells the story of a woman liberating herself through dance – and who, through her extraordinary presence and artistic work, paved the way for future generations of Black dancers on the major international stages.” (Greta-Marie Becker)

Greta-Marie Becker grew up in Germany and Ecuador. While studying at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne/Germany, she made several short films. Her graduation film THE WHISPER OF THE MARIMBA premiered at the 2020 Hof International Film Festival and has been shown at over 40 film festivals around the world. She received a scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation for her first degree at the University of Vienna, where she majored in theatre, film and media studies, international development and gender studies. She was selected for the 2021/2022 Dok.Art program at the Munich Screenplay Centre to prepare her second film about Germaine Acogny.

Filmography (selection): 2020 THE WISPER OF THE MARIMBA, 2025 GERMAINE ACOGNY – THE ESSENCE OF DANCE