This short film by Norman McLaren 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.
Ages 12 to 16
Arts Education - Dance
Media Education - Film and Video Production
Discuss students’ impressions of the film. Have them write a review using the most descriptive terms possible to capture the performance, create poems or still-life images based on the feelings or story of the dance. Could other forms of dance/art be used in a similar way? Challenge students to experiment with an art form of their choice and mix it with film and/or lighting/staging techniques.