Description

Mary Wigman: The Soul of Dance (2014) DVD

UPC: 807280220490

Product Features

Title: Mary Wigman: The Soul of Dance
Directors: Norbert Busè & Christof Debler
Performance Year: 2014
Format: Documentary Film
Language: German, French
Subtitles: English
Sound Format: PCM Stereo
Picture Format: 16:9
Region Code: 0 (Region Free)
Running Time: 52 minutes (main feature) & 40 minutes (bonus material)
Disc Format: DVD, NTSC
Released: 2014 by Arthaus Musik GmbH

Overview

Mary Wigman: The Soul of Dance is an evocative documentary that chronicles the life and legacy of Mary Wigman, a pioneering figure in modern dance. Directed by Norbert Busè and Christof Debler, the film offers a deep dive into Wigman’s revolutionary contributions to the art of dance, from the birth of "Ausdruckstanz" (Expressionist Dance) in Switzerland to her groundbreaking performances across the USA. Featuring interviews with contemporary choreographers like Sasha Waltz and Susanne Linke, as well as dance experts Hedwig Müller and Claudia Gitelman, this documentary paints a vivid picture of Wigman's life, her struggles, and her lasting impact on the world of dance.

Interesting Facts

Mary Wigman is often celebrated as a key figure in the development of modern dance, particularly in Germany, where she was a central figure in the "New German Dance" movement.
The documentary includes rare archival footage and photographs of Wigman's performances, some of which have never been published before, providing a unique insight into her work.
Wigman's influence extended far beyond Europe, as evidenced by her sold-out performances in New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1930, where she was hailed as a "high-priestess of dance."
The film explores not only her artistic achievements but also her personal life, delving into her quest for purpose and fulfillment through dance.
The bonus materials include Mary Wigman’s diary entries from her American tour in the 1920s, motion studies from the 1930s, and interviews with those who knew her best, offering a comprehensive look at her influence and legacy.

Publishers

Publisher: Arthaus Musik GmbH
Website: www.arthaus-musik.com

From Backside:

New York, 1930, in the sold-out Carnegie Hall: Mary Wigman, alone and barefoot, leaves the stage as "high- priestess of dance". To this day, Americans celebrate her as the "New German Dance's" pioneer The life of one of the most exciting 20th century artists is shown on original sites featuring partly unpublished material. From the birth of "Ausdruckstanz" in Switzerland to her sensational tour across the USA, the thrilling do- cumentation follows this exceptional dancer's tragic life. She was always searching for the purpose of life and finally found it in dance. Choreographers Sasha Waltz and Susanne Linke and experts Hedwig Müller and Claudia Gitelman are interviewed, speaking about the life and work of Mary Wigman. "Fantastic images: the old New York, the new New York, the Lago Maggiore, and Dresden, undamaged as it was before the war. And in between cuts: dance. Powerful and desolate, diabolical and austere, and yet still fresh, new and unprecedented, although the choreography is often more than eighty years old. In their stirring documentary about the dance-revolutionary Mary Wigman, the directors Christof Debler and Norbert Busė substantiate perfectly that dance culture around the world today only possesses such an unconfined and impulsive approach because Mary Wigman was the one who gave it the decisive impetus towards liberation." Der Spiegel