About the Project

In 2016 choreographer Tyler Gilstrap created a solo for the stage for dancer Samuel Lee Roberts. Ms. Gilstrap drew her inspiration from a live recording by Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez.

The song, "Unicornio” is a moving plea by Rodriguez to find the “blue unicorn” that he has lost. He desperately wants back the impossible.

Samuel’s character and the movements he embodies are rooted in the poetic descriptions that Rodriguez has woven through the song. The solo was also deeply inspired by Samuel's unique qualities as a dancer and artist.

Upon retiring from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2019, Samuel approached Tyler about turning the solo into a film. They sought out dancer and filmmaker Tobin Del Cuore to help bring this vision to film.

Forgotten Song begins in a realistic context, on a city street. Using the magic of film, the viewer is transported to a suspended alternate world where we experience the main character’s desire to experience the impossible.