SNAPSHOT
A young man reconciles ancient tradition with the modern, urban world in this debut feature from Stephen Page, artistic director of Australia’s renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre.This visually arresting film may be Stephen Page’s directorial debut, but Page is no stranger to the telling of stories through movement and images. As artistic director of the world- renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre, he has spent over twenty years interpreting the stories of Indigenous Australians for global stages. Now Page brings Bangarra’s outstanding dance work SPEAR to the screen. (synopsis via Cinema Australia)
Being caught between two worlds is never easy.
You are constantly caught in an emotional tug-of-war with both parts of your existence demanding allegiance and attention and refusing to accept a phoned-in part-time presence.
The end result for most people? A sense that you don’t belong in either world and a sense of apathy, disconnection and disillusionment.
That’s the theme of Stephen Page’s debut Australian feature film, based on a breathtakingly imaginative 37 minute dance performance (part of the Skin double bill from 2000) by the famed Bangarra Dance Theatre.
Its translation to a near-wordless, considerably-lengthened film is stunning, visually immersive and beautiful, every bit about the emotions as the deeply-involving story.
And it’s a one of-a-kind experience confirms The Guardian:
“Descriptions of Spear, a strange and beautiful beast adapted from work developed by Sydney’s Bangarra Dance Theatre, will suggest a film that is, God forbid, unique – a word almost entirely extinguished from the cinematic lexicon.
“The prophecy is true: what a spectacular achievement; what a strikingly original piece of work.”
And original it is, a meaningful piece of artistry that is definitely worth catching.
Spear premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2015 and is available in various formats for downloading and viewing.