This Oscar-winning film is a visual and emotional thriller. It is an impressionistic record of a flamenco dance class given to senior students of the National Ballet School of Canada by two great teachers from Spain, Susana and Antonio Robledo. The film shows the beautiful young North American dancers–inspired by the flamenco rhythms and mesmerized by Susana’s extraordinary energy–joyously merging with an ancient gypsy culture.
This documentary celebrates the vibrant culture and tenacious struggle of the Canadian Gypsy and introduces a new generation of Roma who claim their roots with pride. They call themselves by their rightful name, the Roma.
The extreme oppression the Roma face worldwide is truly indefensible. This is a very remarkable glimpse into their North American culture.
This is over 26 minutes long but extremely worth it.
“Experimental dance film ‘Lodela’ (1996) by Canadian documentary and experimental film maker Philippe Baylaucq is certainly one of the most successful dance films Canadian cinematography has brought to light…”
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“Inspired by the myths of the afterlife, this allegorical dance piece illuminates the soul’s quest by exploring movement and the human body in new and astonishing ways. An evocation of the origins of the world. A hymn to the beauty of the human form. A celebration of movement. A metaphor for life and death. A film without words.”
The dancers are: Jose Navas and Chi Long. I’m having a bit of difficulty finding info on the choreographer Philippe Baylaucq that isn’t French – I’m not proficient – but when I do, I’ll update…
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Feb 01 2010
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