2009, France/USA
Documentary, Music
Read the review in The Desert Sun. Extended version:
Paris: the city, the art, the ballet. La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet gets down to the nitty-gritty of the ballet world, spreading focus to all levels of both business and art.
Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman makes an appropriate follow-up to his previous films on the American Ballet Theatre (Ballet) and the French state theatre (The Comedie Francaise) with La Danse. The film has no introduction, no narration; it merely observes. Vaguely following administration and artists as they plan for the next show and the next three years of shows, the film is not simply a day-in-the-life glimpse of operations but rather an oops-I-just-walked-into-this-classroom sort of documentation.
Clocking in at over two-and-a-half hours, the film requires an appreciation of the world of dance, inside and out. The filming of the building's painters, janitors and beekeepers may seem excessive, but there is a sense of a more complete picture of the business aspect that keeps alive the artistic side. However, lengthy discussions on how best to schmooze high-level contributors could be easily kept on the cutting room floor.
Most people will focus their attention on the dancers' rehearsals and performances. It is almost reassuring to watch them occasionally struggle with a move. They are human, after all, and not merely spirits on stage. Their athletic prowess is unquestionable, as they complete a challenging routine with breathless panting, only to be criticized by teachers who demand they repeat it all again. The company's artistic director recalls the choreographer Maurice Béjart's quote that dancers are "half nun, half boxer," referring to their combined dedication and strength. There is a method to the madness, and what looks effortless on stage is torn apart in this film to its basic, repetitive steps.
As masters help novices discover the symbolism behind a role, costumers sew sequins and the artistic director helps a dancer arrange her schedule. The cinematography is very simple, with a single camera capturing these casual moments of preparation. Occasionally the camera wanders off to a hallway or window, but it merely sits and waits for something to happen.
The action is kept to the stage, with the audience now aware of the many pieces that contributed to the success of the performance. The dances are beautiful and impressive, ranging from classics such as "The Nutcracker" to a modern interpretation of "Medea." The performances often begin suddenly and end before the celebration by the audience, with the camera disappearing as quickly as it arrived. The moment was captured, the camera was never there, and La Danse continues.