Every year there emerges a prevailing theme out of the 200-some dance films we gather from around the globe. In years past dancemedia’s collective unconscious has dwelled in such places like the bathroom, underwater, in bed, running up hills — all kinds of hills — sand dunes, the Alps, snow covered, mud slicked.
Each year we receive at least a half a dozen films that seem to have come from the same source. How can that be? These films are from Buenos Aires, Geneva, Johannesberg, and Vancouver – places far from each other with different mass media influences. At one point I thought it could be the evolution of equipment/ technology – better, smaller, affordable – that was predicating a particular theme
to be explored simultaneously around the globe.
In February I wondered to the selection committee – What will be this year’s theme? Before I go any further think about this. Most of these works were conceived of at least 3 – 4 years ago let’s say 2005 – 2006.
OK, I’m stalling, it’s DEATH. You would think that the very first DCW blog would have a more marketable theme… What I can say is that these films explore death as an integral part of life — it’s not morbid, sad death but rather investigations into several different aspects of not living.
We see an ancient ritual carried out where after mating the female off’s the male and one can’t help but think it’s cool. There’s a poetic dance of what happens at the morgue (this one was borderline for me) and then there is a jealous lover that is quite requited in his love. There is celebration and there is passion for what comes after living. Never before have I had so much death in one collection of film. What exactly was going on in the middle part of this decade…
Don’t be scared off from the festival — you won’t be sitting through 10 short films on the theme of death. We have spread these insightful nuggets throughout the REDCAT programming during our opening weekend. And remember we will be holding therapy sessions in the lounge immediately following each screening.
Please take time to review our full festival line-up. We have something for everyone and some of you will want to see it all. Some of our events are free or as little as ten bucks $7 if you are a member.
Talk soon,
Lynette
