Take a look at the first What to Watch of 2023!
Feature Length
1. Javier Bardem & Chris Rock - Look at Me
***Warning: this film contains swearing***
Although we’ve titled included this entry as a feature length, it is actually regarded as a short film by Sally Potter.
Taking place over the course of rehearsals for a fundraising gala, the Oscar-contending film follows the struggle, and subsequent connection felt, between Javier Bardem’s volatile-yet-brilliant drummer, and the gala director, played by Chris Rock. Set to the rhythm of a progressively-building drum beat, and the tapped out movements of dancer Savion Glover, the tension between the two leads speaks of Potter’s emotionally-charged craft, expanding steadily to the point of explosion – a narrative motif and score honed with contributions from percussionist and STOMP co-creator, Luke Cresswell.
In Case You Missed It
2. Ailey II - Dance Like Me
In this film, created in 2019, the dancers of Alvin Ailey’s Ailey II took to the streets of New York City to capture dance moves by the general public. They then took those moves and created a new dance work! This is the result…
Dance Explainer
3. Wayne McGregor - A choreographer's creative process in real time
In December, choreographer Wayne McGregor celebrated 30 years of creating dance. Here’s his TED talk from 10 years ago in which he goes into fascinating detail about his choreographic process.
Dance On Screen
4. Ana Gonzalez - Carrete: The Gypsy Fred Astaire
First premiered as part of Sadler’s Wells’ Longevity in Dance season, this film focuses on the life of legendary flamenco superstar Carrete – aka José Losada Santiago.
Under 5 Minutes
5. Bethan Peters & Stacie Lee Bennett - Who Is The Land
Who is the Land investigates the ever-changing landscapes and coastlines that exist where the land meets the sea. The film explores hidden gems from around the UK and examines the cultivation of choreography in these unique places. What do we take from the land and what do we leave behind? The film was shot in four locations around Britain: the Gower Peninsula in Wales, the Isle of Arran in Scotland, the southern Cornish coast, and Whitby in the north-east of England.
