Miscellaneous

Dance Film

Masterclass in Zurich

A sand dune, dazzling light, zoom in on sunburnt skin in windblown clothes, figures crouching in the sand, breathing, sometimes alone, sometimes shoulder to shoulder. They roll down the dune, finally plunging into the waves off the Greek island of Peloponnes and drifting there like buoys, while the spray washes over their bodies. The visual power of dancing bodies on the screen is unique: full of emotional force and so close to one's own gaze, as if one could touch them—even closer than at a live performance.

A successful dance film, however, requires more than beautiful landscapes and dancers' bodies. "Great images aren't enough," says Maja Zimmerlin, who speaks from experience: What began as an inspiration for the Swiss choreographer and director ended as an award-winning dance film. Anasa (2018) received multiple awards and was screened at numerous festivals. More films and further awards followed. Now, Zimmerlin shares her knowledge about how to make a good dance film in workshops and coaching sessions— for example as part of «Dance on Screen», the Swiss platform for dance film art, which invites Swiss and international dance filmmakers to Zurich for an exchange in April. In addition to a selected program of short dance films which will also be shown for non-professional audiences on four themed evenings, the festival offers two masterclasses, led by the French choreographer Fu Le and Maja Zimmerlin.

Zimmerlin offers a one-day workshop entitled "Your Foundation for a Dance Film" covering the fundamentals needed to begin, develop, and complete a dance film. She believes two key factors are crucial: first, a clear vision, and second, a good team. That Zimmerlin herself clearly possesses both is evident in her impressive films, on whose editing she always collaborates. "The actual choreography happens during the editing process," she reveals in an interview. Timing is paramount, along with a focus on the essential, the most important elements. "Less is more."

Laura Mautone

Masterclass with Maja Zimmerlin on 12 April, registration and information: www.danceonscreen.ch
More dance films at «Dance on Screen» at the Arthouse Cinema Piccadilly, from 9 to 12 April; at Tanzfestival Winterthur, 6 May; www.tanzfestivalwinterthur.ch; and at Zürich Tanzt, 8 May; www.zuerichtanzt.ch