Influential German Choreographers on Film

Through a dance film screening series the Goethe-Institut Cyprus presents four of the most influential and internationally recognized German choreographers: Mary Wigman, Kurt Jooss, Pina Bausch and Sasha Waltz. Four movies will be screened between 13th and 19th February at Egomio Cultural Centre, shedding light on the life and work of the four dance legends.

On three dance-themed evenings the Goethe-Institut Cyprus in collaboration with Egomio Cultural Center present four of the most significant and internationally influential German choreographers:

Mary Wigman (Karoline Sofie Marie Wiegmann) (1886-1973) made expressive dance known internationally as new german dance and is considered as one of the most influential pioneers of rhythmic expressive dance which was in its heyday not only in Germany between 1920 and 1935.

Kurt Jooss significantly influenced German dance theatre and was cofounder of the renowned Folkwangschool for Music, Dance and Speech and founder of the experimental Folkwang Dance Studios. Among his students were among others Susanne Linke and Pina Bausch, who managed the Folkwang Ballet after him.

Pina Bausch (Philippine Bausch) became a cult figure in the international dance scene in the 1970s with her development of dance theatre. For the first time she associated dance with the genres of dance, pantomime, artistry, drama creating a new art genre and was considered among peers as the most significant choreographer of her time.

Sasha Waltz (Alexandra Waltz) dancer, choreographer and opera director, is one of the most well-known and fascinating choreographers in Europe. Her choreographies surprise viewers time and again with new aesthetics in fascinating rooms. Waltz is not only interested in a collaboration with dancers, but a dialogue with all artistic forms.

SCREENING PROGRAMME

Thursday 13th February
Mary Wigman – My Life is Dance
Director: Ulrich Tegeder, 29 min., 1986

She made the new direction in dance between 1920 and 1935 known not only in Germany, but also in Europe and USA. To this day her influence on modern dance is noticeable. The film is not so much a biographical documentary, but rather an attempt at a "rapprochement" with the work of the dancer and choreographer. The film shows short dance quotes from Mary Wigman as well as from her pupils Harald Kreutzberg, Dore Hayer and Susanne Linke.

Kurt Jooss
Director: Ulrich Tegeder, 42 min., 1985

Kurt Jooss is considered the founder of a new dance style, which was further developed by his students into the "new German dance theatre". The film shows excerpts of his most important works, The Green Table, Metropolis (music by Alexandre Tansman), Pavane auf den Tod einer Infantin (music by Maurice Ravel), A ball in old Vienna (Music: Joseph Lanner, Hofballtänze, Arrangement: F.A. Cohen) and The lost son (music bu Fritz A. Cohen).

Sunday 16th of February
Pina
Director: Wim Wenders, 103 min., 2011

Wim Wenders shows the unique and inspiring art of the great German choreographer, who passed in summer 2009, and takes the viewers on a visually breathtaking journey of discovery. He shows the legendary Ensemble Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch on stage, accompanies the dancers from the theatre into the city and the surrounding city parts of Wuppertal, which have been home and the centre for Pina Bausch's creativity for 35 years. The film shows segments of some of her most well-known dance pieces: Le sacre du printemps, Café Müller, Kontakthof and Vollmond as well as interviews and further choreographies.

Wednesday 19th of February
Sasha Waltz. A portrait.
Director: Brigitte Kramer, 72 min., 2014

The dance ensemble Sasha Waltz & Guests is Berlin's most important institution for contemporary dance. It became famous for spectacular productions and sensational choreographies in empty spaces. At the opening of the New Museum the dancers moved from room to room and explored the empty building. In the production of the opera Dido & Aeneas the dancers dive in a huge pool on stage. From the early years in Amsterdam to the founding of her own company "Sasha Waltz & Guests", which attracted attention with productions such as "Avenue of Cosmonauts", to the legendary Body trilogy and her opera productions, the film creates a panorama of the choreography work of Sasha Waltz.

For more information about the screenings, visit www.goethe.de/cyprus