Dance on Camera (January 28th - February 1st, 2011)
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Dancing Dreams
Directed by Rainer Hoffmann and Anne Linsel.
This mildly captivating documentary follows a large group teenagers from Germany who rehearse assiduously for a dance piece entitled "Kontakthof," by the talented choreographer Pina Bausch. Watching the students rehearse is interesting at first, but eventually viewers who aren't avid fans of Bausch's work will grow tired of it and wish there were more interviews with the much more interesting teenagers. Co-directors Rainer Hoffman and Anne Linsel shoot the film with cinematography that's not as impressive as it would have been has they used a camera with that allows for higher definition and crisper, sharper images/sounds. Given that this marks Bausch's very last set of interviews before her death in 2009, it's disappointing that the co-directors fail to ask Bausch provocative question to get more insight from her interviews. They don't even provide background information about Bausch or enough of a thorough explanation/motivation behind her modern dance pieces. Nonetheless, the interviews with teenagers mark the high points of Dancing Dreams in terms of poignancy because they come across to be sensitive, articulate and even funny at times.
Number of times I checked my watch: 2Released by First Run Features 
Flamenco Flamenco
Directed by Carlos Saura.
Fans of Carlos Saura's Fados, Flamenco and Tango will be pleased to know that Saura has returned with yet a new dance documentary showcasing the graceful beauty of flamenco. Just like his prior films, the dances are shot on a stage with variety of colorful set designs and backgrounds that provide plenty of eye candy. One particularly mesmerizing dance sequence is one that occurs during the rain (yes, Saura makes it rain onstage) with a beautiful rainbow in the background. Saura once again creates magic through sound and images, but, most importantly, he captures the emotions of each of the dancers/musicians so that you can feel their passion for flamenco on a palpable level. Flamenco, Flamenco deserves to be seen on the big screen for all of its glory. Hopefully, once it opens theatrically, it will include subtitles for those who don't know Spanish.
Number of times I checked my watch: 1 No distributor, yet. 
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