Film effectively captures kinetic objects, often using movement and dance to create engaging narratives. From early cinema, such as the ‘Serpentine Danse’ films, to modern masterpieces, movement consistently draws audiences with its spectacle and emotional depth. While live performances are fleeting, film preserves these moments.
Consider The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse, which captures a balloon floating through Paris. Dance films provide a similar intrigue, preserving ephemeral moments that live performances cannot. This approach captures the magic of movement and helps define narratives.
According to art historian RoseLee Goldberg, film uniquely captures moments that are otherwise untouchable, like catching the wind.
Exploring Dance in Cinema
A dance-inspired movie watch list offers insight into the power of dance in film. We asked key figures in the performance world to share films that influenced their work.
Beau Travail by Claire Denis (1999)
Choreographer and director Celia Rowlson-Hall found ‘Beau Travail’ transformative. The movie’s ending, displaying Denis Lavant’s explosive two-minute dance, captivated her. She admired the deliberate buildup, beginning in a nightclub and continuing into Djibouti’s desert. Men’s training scenes resembled ballet, with diverse interpretations of military tasks. Denis’s choice to cut Lavant mid-turn enhanced the scene’s impact, representing timeless motion.
West Side Story by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins (1961)
RoseLee Goldberg recalls being captivated by ‘West Side Story’ during her childhood in South Africa. The film’s themes of race and cultural assertion paralleled South Africa’s own social dynamics. Jerome Robbins, the choreographer, became an idol, exemplifying dance’s cultural power. Memorable scenes like the gym dance-off inspired audiences to mimic the style portrayed.
Swing! by Oscar Micheaux (1938)
Oscar Micheaux’s ‘Swing!’ showcases Consuelo Harris’s solo dance performance, further highlighting the timeless appeal of dance on screen.