Pina

Last night I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of the movie Pina, a part documentary, part dance for the camera film on the work of German dance-theater choreographer Pina Bausch. LACDC members and affiliates were graciously invited to be a part of this experience and, as I've been waiting for the US premier for over a year, I could not pass up this opportunity. It was well worth the wait. The evening began with a sentimental, long-winded, introduction by the film's soft spoken director Wim Wenders. He recounted to the audience how he and Pina had first met back in the 80's, and came up with the idea to create a film together. She wanted to successfully and accurately document her stage work, while he wanted to create a film about Pina's eyes and the way she views the world. The film remained as only a concept for many, many years as Wenders confessed to us that he had no idea how to go about this task. It wasn't until he saw the newest advancements in 3D technology (before Avatar was even being advertised), that he felt confident moving forward. He felt this technology would allow movie audiences a more real-life experience to see Pina's work, providing us the capability to interpret and recognize depth and layering in her compositions. They began pre-production for the project in spring of 2009. Tragically, and unexpectedly, Pina died in June of 2009 of cancer she had just five days earlier been diagnosed with. Wenders immediately pulled the plug on the entire project.

Pina's company of dancers however, pressed forward. They performed their schedule concert the night after her death, and continued with their scheduled tours through the rest of the year. They chose an artistic director from among them and pressed forward. They came to Wenders and informed him that they have been rehearsing the works that Pina had selected to be in the film, and they were ready to create it. Wenders realized this film was now much more than about Pina, it was for Pina, and it had to be made.

Beyond just capturing Pina's work, this film is cut and interjected with thoughts and memories from the dancers. The dancers in the company range in ages from early twenties to sixties, but among them all the love, admiration, and respect they have for Pina shines through. They paint her to be the most loving, hard working, understanding, encouraging, and inspiring person and director. Hearing these accounts were a nice reminder that talent and success do not need to be paired with harshness or cruelty. I think far too often dancers allow choreographers to get away with behavior unfair and unwarranted. This is one of the biggest things I have enjoyed about becoming a part of LACDC. Like Pina, the choreographers we work with push us and challenge us, but never forget to treat us with respect and courtesy. Because after all, we are people first, dancers second.

Beyond anything, the film Pina depicts what a truly special and remarkable entity Pina Bausch was, and still is. And I think LACDC is pretty special too :-)

- Andrew Pearson