Like the River Lea

Lug is the Celtic god of light, and the name ‘Lea’ may be derived from this name. 

The town now known as Luton is named after this river which may mean the river of the god Lugus. Ton is an Anglo-Saxon name for a town or large settlement. 

So Luton could mean “the town on the river of Lugus”, although this is speculation.

A film inspired by Luton, the place, its people and the stories their bodies want to tell.

Filmed in Luton’s natural and industrial landscapes the film shares a lens to the migrant experiences of Luton, accompanied by an original music score by Ukrainian Music composer and  Sound artist, Oleh Shpudeiko (Heinali).

Through movement and a poetic visual language the film invites viewers to rethink misconceptions about Luton, an English town just outside of London at the foreshores of the River Lea.

Featuring local participants from across Luton, Like the River Lea reveals the continual flow of change and transformations that Luton has been through since the 6th century during Neolithic time to today.

The ‘Like the River Lea’ film will premiere at the Autumn Equinox: Double Bill event on Wednesday 23 September 2026, and will become available to stream via the Revoluton (digital) Platform afterwards.

Watch the behind-the-scenes film for Like the River Lea here:

[Video by Patrick Young]

Conceived and Directed by Jean Abreu

Director of Photography by David Kaplowitz

Original Music by Oleh Shpudeiko (Heinali)

Final Music by Victoria Moyles

Created with and performed by Marta Beccatini, Taira Foo and Victoria Moyles

Words Written by Kalib De Merchant

Poem by Victoria Moyles

With Narration by Ashraful Ahmed

Choreography: Jean Abreu

Camera and Editing: David Kaplowitz

Costumes: Victoria Moyles and Moomar.Uk