The Oklahoma City Bombing, Told Through Animation
Nearly three decades after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing fundamentally altered the course of her life, Daina Bradley is sharing her harrowing experience with a new audience. Her story, marked by unimaginable loss and a desperate fight for survival, is now the subject of a short animated film titled Will I Dance Again?.
On that ordinary morning in 1995, the bombing buried 19-year-old Bradley beneath the wreckage. The blast claimed the lives of her mother, her son, and her daughter. Trapped under a boulder that pinned her right leg, Bradley faced a choice: undergo a field amputation without anesthesia or remain trapped in the rubble.
A Creative Approach to Survivor Testimony
By enlisting the voice talents of Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard and featuring contributions from ballet icon Misty Copeland, Will I Dance Again? elevates a deeply personal narrative into a broader artistic statement. The project’s resonance was recently confirmed at the Fayetteville Film Festival, where it secured the award for Best Animation.
While the choice of animation might suggest a broader or younger audience, the organizers are clear about the film’s intensity. They maintain that the content is intended for mature teens and up and is not an animation for children.
Screening Details in North Little Rock
Arkansans interested in viewing this project will have the opportunity to see it this coming Sunday, November 8, at Birdies Cabaret in North Little Rock.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
- 4 p.m.: VIP meet-and-greet, including food and drinks provided by Birdies.
- 5 p.m.: Film screening followed by a Q&A session.
The post-screening discussion features the film’s director, Arkansas filmmaker Princella Smith, alongside Daina Bradley. This dialogue offers a rare chance for the public to engage directly with the survivor whose life was reshaped by the events of 1995. Tickets are currently priced at $15 for the VIP experience and $5 for general admission.
