Dance Party U.S.A.

Poetry in motion: A video weblog

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Saturday, July 28, 2012

The DOGTOOTH dance



This dance sequence from the 2009 Greek film DOGTOOTH, directed by GIORGOS LANTHIMOS, is a good shock to the system, like the film itself.

I heard Ms. AGGELIKI PAPOULIA did her own choreography...

STORYBOARD P



From Brooklyn, NY, "mutant" dancer STORYBOARD P.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. TINY TIM


Every once in a while, the world produces a true eccentric who somehow rises to fame without shedding any charm.

From an Austrialian Television special (date unknown) TINY TIM sings one of his signature songs. I especially love how he carries his instrument in a shopping bag.

The Four Times



The 2011 film LE QUATTRO VOLTE by MICHAELANGELO FRAMMARTINO is a kind of lyrical ode to life in a tiny, rural Italian village.

The trailer for the mostly wordless film, adds on a voice-over that serves as a kind of entry point to the poetic and non-narrative style to expect in the film.

Pina in 2D



In the new film PINA by WIM WENDERS, the dance company of the late PINA BAUSCH is featured, along with a number of pieces.

The short bits of her dances translate well to film, and although the filming is done in 3D, I might like the 2D better.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

BOMBAY BEACH



A new film by ALMA HAR'EL, who got her start making music videos for the band BEIRUT, follows a handful of people in a decaying small town in California on the Salton Sea.

The strange lifestyles of an isolated community are captured with vision and empathy, and dedicated to the simple poetry that emerges from all pursuits. Featuring plenty of real talk, real emotions, and real dancing (music by BEIRUT).

One the best films of 2011, documentary or otherwise.

BEAUTY PLUS PITY



DUKE & BATTERSBY are filmmaking duo, working mainly within the gallery world. Their short video pieces are self-described as "episodic," and take the collaged form of short-form children's programming, or sketch comedy.

The work itself is essayist, and usually combines raw imagery with a sweet innocence, with a distinct humanist appraoch. In this video, entitled BEAUTY PLUS PITY, most of the artists' usual techniques are on display: documentary, cartoons, & emotive balladry.