(no subject)
My parents told me there was ballet on WOWOW every Wednesday, but I was never home on a Wednesday till today. So this is my first time. It was a documentary about ballet and life in a ballet company, by a French guy on the Paris Opera Ballet. Of course, it was in French, and of course, since this is WOWOW, the subtitles were in Japanese.
Still I think I got the gist of it, because there was a lot of imagery. Like, a whole section of Swan Lake where the camera was focused only on the dancers' feet. Juxtaposed scenes of rehearsals against the actual performance, featuring classical ballets and new choreographies by Maurice Bejart. Shots of the corps getting their costumes from the very very very huge costume room, being made up, heaving and sweaty in the wings after dancing.
My favorite was shots of the corps waiting patiently for their cue during the pas de deux of Sigfried and Odette in the second act of Swan Lake. Yes, we really do sweat like that during actual shows. And the end of the film where the swans run offstage and the music goes on and the important part where Odette turns back into a swan happens, but none of the corps girls stop to check. They're picking up their water bottles and their towels and unhitching the backs of their costumes and walking back to their dressing rooms as only then the applause comes. And then the film ends.
I have a feeling I'm really supposed to see this as it's a documentary about a ballet company. And my thesis is about three ballet companies. Lots of food for thought.
Hoho, it is way past midnight. I must be well again, if I'm still awake past midnight. Gotta hit the sack and drive the binat away. Nightie!
Still I think I got the gist of it, because there was a lot of imagery. Like, a whole section of Swan Lake where the camera was focused only on the dancers' feet. Juxtaposed scenes of rehearsals against the actual performance, featuring classical ballets and new choreographies by Maurice Bejart. Shots of the corps getting their costumes from the very very very huge costume room, being made up, heaving and sweaty in the wings after dancing.
My favorite was shots of the corps waiting patiently for their cue during the pas de deux of Sigfried and Odette in the second act of Swan Lake. Yes, we really do sweat like that during actual shows. And the end of the film where the swans run offstage and the music goes on and the important part where Odette turns back into a swan happens, but none of the corps girls stop to check. They're picking up their water bottles and their towels and unhitching the backs of their costumes and walking back to their dressing rooms as only then the applause comes. And then the film ends.
I have a feeling I'm really supposed to see this as it's a documentary about a ballet company. And my thesis is about three ballet companies. Lots of food for thought.
Hoho, it is way past midnight. I must be well again, if I'm still awake past midnight. Gotta hit the sack and drive the binat away. Nightie!