Pas de deux

Norman McLaren's short film is a cinematic study of the choreography of ballet. A bare, black set with the back-lit figures of dancers Margaret Mercier and Vincent Warren create a dream-like, hypnotic effect. This award-winning film comes complete with the visual effects one expects from this master filmmaker.

From the playlist : Tré Armstrong on dance, music and passion

This was done before I was even born, and yet I still find the visual effects captivating. Definitely before its time when it was produced and directed. I love the part near the end where the male dancer is spinning the ballerina by one leg and it looks like she is an open umbrella twirling round and round. How clever! Some great moments in movement, imagery and visual effects. I find the marriage between the dancer, movement and the camera hypnotizing… To make this type of film requires patient passion because this is dance made for the camera lens, not for stage, and that is choreography on another level!

— Tré Armstrong

You might
also enjoy:

Comments

  • blaineadams@cogeco.ca

    “I loved this film when I irst saw it 40 years ago. Loved seeing it again, but was distracted by the prominant NFB logo on the screen, Too bright, too large, too much in the picture. I understand the need for such things, but could it not be more discreet?” — blaineadams@cogeco.ca, 2 Feb 2010

Discuss this film Please sign in to add your comment
Not a member ? Click here

Film Credit

director
Norman McLaren
producer
Norman McLaren
photography
Jacques Fogel
choreography
Ludmilla Chiriaeff

Find Similar Films