“Traveling, breathing, traveling, breathing, traveling, breathing,” chants Reggie Wilson as he takes us on a spiritual journey in his solo INTRODUCTION. We travel to Milwaukee, New York City, back to Milwaukee, then to Trinidad and finally to Africa. We feel the influence of each location and I personally relate to the Trinidadian components, being that my father is from the island.
Wilson talks a lot about the African Diaspora, reminding us that African culture has been diffused throughout the Caribbean and Americas.
Wim Wenders’ PINA, showed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, is a beautifully directed and edited documentary. So much is revealed , clearly and vividly, without much dialogue. We learn that Pina Bausch had a deep sense of humanity. She understood people and emotions. We experience sadness, longing, anger, love, struggle, fear and loss throughout the film. Bausch was intent on getting the point across that dance is necessary to life. “Dance, Dance or all is lost,” is what we hear her say at the film’s conclusion. Unfortunately, Pina Bausch died just before this documentary was made.
A lack of dialogue could have a negative effect on a documentary, but here it prompts us to interpret the film and its dances in our own way. [click to continue….]
