I consider myself so very lucky to have seen Pina's dancers before her death. It was a magical night. Just like life, art often reaches us by chance. And if you are interested in the highest art, do not miss this. The film revolves around a series of interviews with the dancers themselves. They say only a few words, and a few do not speak at all. What becomes obvious is the amazing dedication and loyalty (fanaticism?) of the dancers to their leader. The dance pieces are amazing. But I had a moment of terrible frustration when the "Rite of Spring" dance is shown with only a small excerpt. The director probably realized that this was such a powerful work that it could easily overwhelm the rest of the film! But this is a minor point. There is still the terrible fact that American film industry cannot come close to this level of cultural "grande art". It is not because we do not have the artists, the technology, the movie directors or the money. The fact is that our movie industry, if it is that, is locked in an embrace with commercial flotsam and jetsam. Who can waste there time watching Tom Cruise when you can sit with the spirit of such a master? We not only dumb down our culture, but we celebrate it! If only the Super Bowl was a ballet, I might feel differently. After this film, I may not want to move to Europe, but I say viva la difference! Don't miss this. There won't be another like it any time soon.
Pina
(2011)
A tribute to a truly world artist-where is an American movie this powerful?
28 January 2012