Cunningham
CUNNINGHAM traces Merce Cunningham's artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery (1944–1972), from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world’s most visionary choreographers. The 3D technology weaves together Merce's philosophies and stories, creating a visceral journey into his innovative work. A breathtaking explosion of dance, music, and never-before-seen archival material, CUNNINGHAM is a timely tribute to one of the world’s greatest modern dance artists.
Director:
Alla Kovgan
Screenplay:
Alla Kovgan
Screening Date:
Dec 07, 2019
Studio:
Arsam International, Achtung Panda! Media, Bord Cadre Films
Running Time:
1h 33m
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.0% | 31.9% | 14.8% | 12.7% | 6.3% |
“I feel so lucky to have been able to view this film based on
Mercer Cunningham and dance filmed in 3D which brought the
dance and dancers and footage to life in wondrous ways.”
“Merce was a genius and this documentary was very, very
moving! As Cunningham believed, the work is everything!
What a body of work or what a work of bodies!”
“I am speechless. Brilliant concept, brilliant execution.”
“First 3-D film I’ve seen ever! Superbly done, Dance is actors in
space, and this is a brilliant use of the medium incorporating
dance, film, documentary and performance milieus. Wow.”
“I am not interested in his dance moves for an hour and a half.”
“That was a fascinating – if slow – movie, but what a wonderful
guest. Alla Kovgan may be one of the best guests ever – smart,
confident, personable. Somebody give her a million dollar
budget.”
“There is an educator John Cunningham, should have made the
film about him!”
“An amazing film that challenges al the senses. The colors,
landscapes, costumes were all amazing. To quote Diana Vreeland ‘Shocking pink is the navy blue of India.’ Gorgeous film of a story that needs to be told.”
“Great for dance enthusiasts bur rather static overall. The 3D is
effective for this film. I was never a Merce Cunningham
enthusiast and this hasn’t change my mind.”
“I always thought that modern dance was incomprehensible
tedium set to squeaky atonal music. Now! I am certain to me,
it is like what dementia would look like deep, humorless and
understood only by the person experiencing it! The friends of
the demented would sigh and say thing like there, there, it’ll be
alright in the end. Like Hollywood people who waste enormous
talent producing Marvel movies and other nonsense; these
dancers are wonderful, graceful athletes stuck in a
vapid mindless delusion.”
“This may appeal to a very specific audience, unfortunately I am
not in that group.”
"OK, not for everyone I admit, but I found it compelling,
enthralling, mysterious. I don’t know why people spend millions
of dollars on a Jackson Pollack painting of paint splatters. This
was dance move splatters, John Cage’s music is notes
splattered on our ears. Still I absolutely admired Alla and what
she created. What a wonderful guest.”
I admit it, I go to every dance recital I can get to, and this is a
dance recital that came to me. But not just a single evening of dance, but a wonderful look at the life’s work of one of the
most influential choreographers of our times. Brilliant use of
3-D, an incredible combination of archival footage and
contemporary performances. I am thrilled that they are now
preserved so well in one place, in this magnificent film. Bravo.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Overview of Merce Cunningham's life - https://www.biography.com/performer/merce-cunningham
Exploring the creative legacy of choreographer Merce Cunningham - Interviews with Dancers and teachers who were and still are profoundly influenced by Merce Cunningham and his work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZCV5l9ARZo
