Gardez L’Eau is the second performance film from collaborative duo: Textile & Performance artist Enam Gbewonyo and Director Freddie Leyden.

Set in the 300+ year old Southampton heritage site God’s House Tower, the performance brings to life hidden stories of the building’s inhabitants through its many past lives while also channeling secrets of those who traversed its nearby seas. These are stories of trade, colonialism, slavery, piracy, war and more, forming rooted bonds to the likes of the Caribbean and Spain. Links that are subtlety woven into the film through sound, costume and Gbewonyo’s movement.

Gardez L’Eau opens a portal to the ancestral realm, Gbewonyo’s body becoming vessel which through movement communes the stories and teachings of the ancestors.

The film is an adaptation of the live performance Gbewonyo delivered as part of the commissioned solo exhibition, also titled ‘Gardez L’Eau’ which took place at God’s House Tower in Summer 2022. The commission formed part of Arts&Heritage’s Meeting Point programme. Find out more about the full commission here.

Credits:
Written by: Enam Gbewonyo @enamgd

Director: Freddie Leyden 
Cinematographer: Brendan Harvey
Music: Anihma 
First AC: Sinan Yilmaz 
Loader: Cristina Lozano Molina 
Gaffer: Tom Williams
Lighting: Cinelight 
Costume Design & Makeup: Enam Gbewonyo
Hair: Mavis Gbewonyo
Art assist: Claudia Carneiro 
Colourist: Marty McMullen 
Colour Producer: Laura Rickets 
Film Processing: Kodak Motion Picture Film
Location: God’s House Tower 

Executive Producers: TAFETA @art_tafeta, Freddie Leyden, Enam Gbewonyo