Then Comes the Body

The short film Then Comes the Body tells the inspiring and unlikely story of a ballet school outside of Lagos, Nigeria. Film director Jacob Krupnick first discovered Leap of Dance Academy as millions of others did—through a viral video of ballet students dancing in the rain during the first summer of the pandemic. The school quickly became overwhelmed with media coverage, so it took Krupnick nearly a year to connect with the school’s leadership. Once he did, he convinced them of his commitment to creating a film that would place their voices at its center.

The founder of Leap of Dance Academy, Daniel Ajala, was inspired to learn ballet after watching the 2001 American film Save the Last Dance. As there weren’t any ballet schools in Nigeria, he taught himself by watching YouTube videos. Determined to provide his community with opportunities he hadn’t had, Ajala established the Academy in 2017 and offers classes for free, explaining that he doesn’t want anyone “to have an excuse for not following your passion.”

Despite pushback from some locals questioning the decency of ballet, the school quickly attracted students. The film offers intimate portraits of two determined young dancers, highlighting their dedication and growth. Several students from the Academy have received scholarships to continue training abroad, in South Africa and Belgium. However, Ajala recounts incidents of racism they experienced while performing internationally, including being told that “ballet is not meant for you” and to go back home to “do your own African dances.”

Ultimately, the film celebrates the dancers’ perseverance and their unwavering love for ballet. “Sharing this film has been the hugest pleasure,” says Krupnick. “It’s bigger than me, which is a very special feeling.”