A group of black women represents the face of social injustice as they flourish their bodies over spoken word. Choreography aligning in sync with angelic, yet heart-pounding commentary, speaking over Nina Simone’s “Strange Fruit” is the essence of the film. This was Morgan Harrell’s vision coming to fruition.
Harrell, a senior dance major and business administration minor at KSU, is the choreographer, director and producer of the five-minute “choreo-poem” titled “S.A.B.L.E.”
The film, which stands for Stories About Black Leading Equality, tells the story of seven black women, such as Sandra Bland and Korryn Gaines, who have suffered from modern social injustices.
The sold-out viewing was April 20-21 in the Marietta Theater on the Marietta campus, receiving significant praise from the panelists.
In the modern day and age of the fight against social injustice, Harrell strongly believes that African American women are just as overlooked. Her film is meant to draw its viewers into the pain that many may not fathom.
“With these victims, I just realized that they didn’t have a lot of news time and uncovering of their stories and a lot of the officers were acquitted from trial,” Harrell said. “So, I really wanted to peel it back to light so people can do their own research because a lot of people don’t know what happened to these women.”
Harrell, a passionate dancer herself, had the idea of creating a dance film for black women as her capstone project after being inspired by filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s film titled “13th.” She noted that DuVernay was 32 when she decided to pursue film, which helped her cope with her inexperience.
Harrell constructed her film by organizing a team of cinematographers and editors as well as organizing a casting call within the KSU dance community.
“When we finished it at four in the morning, I didn’t like it,” she said. “But after I presented it for the first time, people were crying. People were having standing ovations, and people said thank you for having a story that people needed to hear.”
Harrell hopes that her film provokes thought and encourages its viewers to look more into the articles relevant to her film.
“The most important thing I want people to understand is, I don’t want people to have to agree with my film,” Harrell said. “I just want people to respect and understand that we can be kinder to one another.”
Harrell started dancing at 11 years old to deal with bullying, which eventually led to her engaging in competitive dancing to obtain college scholarships. Harrell has also used her talents to help organize fundraisers such as Dance Marathon, which raised more $330,000 this year.
Harrell has worked in background roles for several commercials and TV shows including “Honey: Rise Up and Dance” and “The Quad.” She has also worked directly on projects led by actor Tyler Perry and Atlanta hip-hop producer Zaytoven.
Harrell currently interns at the Dare Dream Dance studio in Atlanta and teaches dance in the community. She aims to continue to choreograph and produce in Atlanta’s portion of the industry as well.
Harrell cited KSU African studies professor Khalil Elayan, her dance professors, CiCi Kelley from Dare Dream Dance, Isiah Harper, her high school drama teacher and instructors from Prodigy Dance Center in Columbus, Georgia, for her film’s success.
