African Dance on Film

Movement (R)evolution Africa

(a story of an art form in four acts)

Website: Movement Revolution Africa 

Joan Frosch & Alla Kovgan, USA, 2006

In an astonishing exposition of choreographic fomentation, eight African choreographers tell stories of an emergent art form and their diverse and deeply contemporary expressions of self.  Stunning choreography and riveting critiques challenge stale stereotypes of "traditional Africa"
to unveil soul-shaking responses to the beauty and tragedy of 21st century Africa.

Artists: Company Kongo Ba TÃria (Burkina Faso), Company Rary
(Madagascar), Sello Pesa (South Africa), Company TchÃTchà (Ivory Coast),
Company Raiz di Polon (Cape Verde), Company Jant Bi (Senegal) and Kota
Yamazaki (Japan), Nora Chipaumire (Zimbabwe), Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (USA)

 

AFRICAN DANCE, SAND, DANCE AND SHOSTAKOVICH
Website: DER Documentary & Video Clip from the film

This documentary explores African contemporary dance through eight modern dance companies from Africa, Europe and Canada that participated in the Festival International de Nouvelle Danse in Montreal, Canada in 1999. Interviews, including those with dance historians Yacouba Konate and Alponse Tierou, add insight to beautifully-photographed performances.  What emerges is a fascinating diversity of contemporary African dance themes and styles.  Exploring the interactions between tradition and modernism, the consequences of colonization and urbanization, the self-expression of women through dance, and the roles of masculinity and family relationships, the film is a unique source of information and inspiration for dancers, dance historians, choreographers, critics, as well as those interested in African culture, past and present.

"The idea of a developing African dance avant-garde is still unfamiliar in North America, where classes in traditional African dance remain popular, as do touring African dance companies. [The film's] virtue is the cogency with which the choreographers explain their ideas and provide the link between their very different pieces. The basic theme is that modern dance in Africa, even if influenced by the West, remains rooted in Africa because it is danced by Africans." — Anna Kisselgoff, NY Times, 01/10/03

*If you happen to find yourself in New York City in early January, Movement (R)evolution Africa and Invitation to the Dance, Body & Taboo (shot in Nigeria) will be shown as part of the film festival  at the Walter Reade Theatre.*

Dance on Camera Festival 2007

January 3-14, Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, New York
details to be found shortly at:

http://www.dancefilms.org/festival

Comments

[Kat]

The DER doctumentary videoclip was amazing! Very inspirational. I love the style, the technique, the energy and the rythm. There was a lot of passion.
Absolutely astounding

[Dans]

gives power to the people making this wonderful dance was a thank you dance lovers...

[Belle Styler]

The documentary video was powerful. The entire 5:41 duration of the preview has immersed me into the beauty and the wonder of their dance, and as well as their culture. Thank you for sharing this with us!