Dance For Camera
Performance Reviews || Sunday, 7 October, 2007
Believe it or not the producers of Dance for Camera, First Run Features, sent this particular DVD in for review after they had read our coverage of 'Take 7', a DVD that we were less than polite about not two weeks previously. If nothing else, we salute their courage.
The disc features 6 short dance films from producers in Europe and North America: 'Reines d'un Jour' (Switzerland), 'Measure' (USA), 'Rest in Peace' (Netherlands/UK), 'A Village Trilogy' (Canada), 'Cornered' (Canada) and 'Contrecoup' (Switzerland).
With this DVD the producers have attempted to compile a series of dance films that feature actual choreography and to some degree they have succeeded with this.
Let's take 'Contrecoup' as an example. Although the theme is fairly abstract the film makers have at least made an effort to both effectively film and edit the movement sequences used throughout the production. In addition, they have actually bothered to use lighting and location design to add to the overall effect. The visual look you get is a very contemporary 'film noir' effect with a colour palette limited to browns and greens.
Although the photography sometimes strays into close up a little too often it is, for the most part, effective at capturing the mood and dynamics of the choreography. The editing has also been done with care so the sequences do not become disjointed and there is little evidence of the editor becoming frustrated and making cuts for no other reason than to justify a pay cheque.
Photography throughout is well handled and pulls off some neat visual tricks here and there. Somebody obviously sat down and thought this through. What is the film about? Personally I have no idea. The story is a little muddled, if there is one, but its got something to do with relationships. You can't have everything but it is by far the strongest effort on this DVD.
'Measure', created in the USA, is an example of what to do when you have limited resources and limited time (I'm presuming here). The film uses a long shot down a corridor and it's principal angle. Two dancers work their way through a rhythmic tap routine with a series of jump cuts added in for good measure. The movement is not outstanding but I suspect it's not supposed to be. It's understated and simple, but at least it's movement.
Overall this DVD is a cut above 'Take 7' from the previous review, because, as the producers promised, these films use choreography as a focal point. Apart from the strengths of 'Countercoup' however there is still all too little to get excited about with any of these creations.
There is little in the way of show stopping moments that make you want to partake of a repeat viewing. 'Rest In Peace' is a particularly poor effort and, ironically, has the BBC's name all over it.
What this particular DVD brings to the table is a sense of hope. A sense that maybe there is, however slim, a chance that dance film can move forward by utilising good photography, good editing, good ideas and some good choreography, not necessarily in that order. We still have a long way to go mind you.
The disc runs to 95 minutes with no special features. (The publicity for the disc mentions "Filmmaker profiles" but I couldn't find them).
Available through mail order only in NTSC and PAL formats for $25(US) plus shipping.
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