An Homage Of Pina Bausch

Review: Pina

This homage of Pina Bausch was a truly enticing spectacle. Wim Wenders assembled a cohesive tribute to the life and work of this spectacular choreographer, showcasing several astounding performances. Pina exemplified how dance is considered a great performance art, and her legacy is well represented in this documentary.
While watching the performances, one of the most influential aspects of the production was the convergence of music and movement. It contributed to the overall mood and played a tremendous role in shaping the audience’s conception of the overall piece. I particularly enjoyed the ensemble of dancers and music in The Rite of Spring. In this dance, the music reinforced the drab, overworked, and distraught individuals. Each group, composed of males and females, moved to its own beat until the groups would converge and move as one. This dance displayed Pina’s pure creativity and genius.
The most challenging aspect of the piece for me, had to be the intention and meaning behind the city dances. The dance was beautiful in the light of the background of mundane metropolis, but the dancer evoked a feeling of self-deprecating discontent. Her garments, emotions, and physicality screamed of utter misery. The only way I believe I could describe the dance would be to call the performance, an urban catastrophe. Not to contend that the performance was chaotic, but to suggest the oddity of the juxtaposition of the background and subject. Specifically, the dance on the train car did not make a bit of sense; cardboard ears, shrouded faces, and mechanical screeches became far too complex and downright confusing. I think that these performances offer a statement about the beauty of choreography and movement that can be experienced in any type of setting, yet it was difficult to follow.
If I had the pleasure of interviewing the choreographer, I would ask about the inner motivations for her work. Much of what she has created had never been seen before in the world of dance, so her ideas must stem from some diverse background.
As I watched Contact Place, I was struck by the exhibition of beauty. This piece was much more vibrant than its predecessors, incorporating color to the set and costumes. The dancers modeled their hair, teeth, nails, hips, and outfits to display their conventionalized beauty. I wish to know where the ideas for this performance originated. I was very glad to be exposed to the collected works of Pina. Her contributions to the world of performance art are insurmountable, and her legacy will endure for many years to come. My hope is that her ideas displayed in the dances of this documentary will spark new motivations in choreographers worldwide to keep creativity at the heart of talented performance.