Northwest Film Forum Premieres La Danse

Published Dec. 4, 2009 at 9:46 p.m.

The film portrays the company as a unit, instead of recognizing the individual parts to the whole. Names of dancers or choreographers or administrators are only gleaned through the course of conversation--there is certainly no narrative or titles to ease the viewer into this strange world. As it happens, the stress of not knowing soon fades, and we are free to listen, learn, and watch some outrageously beautiful, beautiful dancing.

There are extended choreography sequences, plenty of ballet for those who really love ballet. One really gets a sense of the monotony of rehearsal; how many times the tiniest details are scrutinized, picked apart, polished, perfected, before a performance; especially how so often the burden falls squarely on the ballerina to make it perfect--but not too stiff! It has to be ephemerally perfect. We get several glimpses into the costume shop and the cafeteria. We watch as the works are built into bodies: sometimes it’s several people (humorously) coaching a single dancer all at once, sometimes the direction becomes more of a conversation, and we can feel their frustration in trying to communicate an artistic concept often greater than they have the power to explain.

We see how the artists are molded into living, breathing sculpture. Moving pieces of art. Rendered intentionally sparse in true Wiseman style, with no introduction, interviews, music, drama or explanation, La Danse is a treat for the dance lover and an accessible portrait for those curious enough to become one.

Seattle premiere tonight, 7 p.m. // Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave // Trailer here.

$6 NWFF members, $6.50 children and seniors, and $9 general admission.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.nwfilmforum.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Back | Read more at Seattlest - Arts & Ent