Dancers in Pina Bausch’s troupe dance on the streets of Pina’s hometown of Wuppertal, Germany. (Photo Courtesy of Neue Road Films)
It’s not often that dance is presented on the silver screen. However, in the German documentary “Pina,” dance is the driving factor for one of the best 3-D movies ever made.
“Pina” is structured from the dance pieces of legendary choreographer Pina Bausch.
Bausch had a knack for making modern dance numbers that infected audiences with questions regarding age, sex and humanity. “Pina” takes certain numbers from the choreographer’s long career and crafts a beautiful story that pays homage to the recently deceased choreographer.
The movie utilizes 3-D technology to make Bausch’s stage as realistic as possible. With each kick, turn and leap, the dancers move gracefully through the frame, finally giving valid reasoning for 3-D technology besides the studio’s bottom line.
The film mixes together Bausch’s dynamic choreography with special interviews and segments that pay tribute to the movie’s character. The film was shot in Bausch’s hometown of Wuppertal. The scenic German conclave provides for a vivid backdrop to some of Bausch’s best work.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of “Pina” happened when the movie was in production, particularly when the movie’s character died.
The film’s director worked with Bausch for 20 years to get the film made and almost ended the movie completely when she died.
With an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary, “Pina” certainly has changed the way director’s approach documentaries. In fact, “Pina” was the first ever 3-D movie to be nominated for an Oscar. Even to the most casual of viewers, “Pina” is an entertaining piece of art that transcends the screen and invites the audience to experience world-class entertainment of the highest brow.
Director Wim Wenders does a marvelous job translating the language of dance onto film and allowing Bausch’s portfolio to shine. This makes for a refreshing break from the sequels and superheroes we are exposed to today.
“Pina” is now playing in 2-D at the Angelika Theater and in 3-D at Cinemark West Plano.
