This video-shot documentary captures the
collaborating tensions and harmonies (mostly
tensions) between a well-known
storyteller/illustrator (Maurice Sendak) and a modern
dance troupe (Pilobolus) as they create a Holocaust
story (entitled "A Selection") in Dance.
The first hour plus captures the fun and play
involved in evolving story from the human form. As
one of the dancers puts it, "We come into the room
with an open mind and active body." And active bodies
they have! These performers are marvelous, pliable,
muscular, beautiful, and able to move, stand, bend in
acutely aesthetic manners -- they are sculpture in
motion!
But how to get this close-knit group, already
steadfast in their methods of creation, to gel with
an outside creative force ... and one with a tragic
yet undefined and fluid story to tell? That's where
LAST DANCE finds its drama.
The result? I'm not sure it's fair to judge after
seeing only "selected" segments, which play out in
the documentaries last remaining 15 minutes. But, for
the purposes of this review... I certainly enjoyed
the opening highlights and improv/creation process
far more than the final product (as presented
here).
As for the camera work, all fine, save: I'd have
suggested far more full body shots during the main
performance. Use the close-in's extremely
sparingly.
Still, the next time Pilobolus comes to town -- I
want to be there!
LAST DANCE was presented via American Cinematheque
at the Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood (www.Americancinematheque.com) as
part of Dance Camera West (www.dancecamerawest.org).
Notes: On May 27th, "In the Mirror of Maya Deren"
(another DanceCameraWest piece) will run at the
Egyptian as well.
|