|
|
Now Playing
|
La Danse: Le Ballet de l´Opera Paris
|
|
 return
|
Directed by Frederick Wiseman
France/USA, 2009
Color
158 Minutes
French with English subtitles
Show Times:
Thu., Nov. 12 7:00 PM
Frederick Wiseman, the cinema verité director renowned for his penetrating explorations of social and cultural institutions, turns his gaze towards the workings of one of the world´s great ballet companies, the Paris Opera Ballet. The film follows the rehearsals and performances of seven ballets: Genus by Wayne McGregor, Le Songe de Medée by Angelin Preljocaj, La Maison de Bernarda by Mats Ek, Paquita by Pierre Lacotte, Casse Noisette by Rudolph Noureev, Orphée and Eurydice by Pina Bausch, and Romeo and Juliette by Sasha Waltz. Wiseman, as he did for classic works such as High School, Hospital, and Public Housing, spent weeks embedded with the ballet company. He observed all aspects of the organization, from the administrative offices and their fundraising strategies to the rehearsal studios and costume rooms. His investigations reveal the coordinated and collaborative work of choreographers, ballet masters, dancers, musicians, and costume, set, and lighting designers. As usual, his complex, masterful editing avoids narration or titles, and flows without a simple narrative arc. Viewers are given a great deal of room to explore and interpret and make their own connections and meanings. The film was warmly received at this year´s Toronto Film Festival, and Variety took special note of the fine work by Wiseman´s longtime cinematographer: "Unfussily shot in long takes and mostly from a distance by director of photography John Davey so as to allow audiences to see the performances to their best advantage (alas, if only more helmers of modern film musicals would take note), the dance footage is an absolute treat for balletomanes." After this festival screening, the film will return for a theatrical run in Houston in mid-December.
Admission: $10
BUY YOUR TICKETS IN PERSON AT THE HISTORIC ALABAMA THEATRE (2922 SOUTH SHEPHERD) OR ONLINE AT WWW.CINEMARTSOCIETY.ORG
This film is part of the Cinema Arts Festival Houston film series.
Be sure to check back for additional screenings or changes in the Films schedule. You can also contact us with questions about future films at film@mfah.org.
|
|
|
|
