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VANCITY THEATRE EXCLUSIVE
Premiered in January 2003 in a former bus depot, the Berlinr Philharmonic's spectacular production of the modern ballet The Rite of Spring to Igor Stravinsky's score was the first major work by the then new conductor Sir Simon Rattle. He arrived in Berlin dedicated to contributing to the healing of the city, and convinced that "music is not a luxury, but a need, like the air we breathe and the water we drink."
While Rhythm Is It! offers rare insights into both conductor and the rehearsal process of the famous orchestra, it is the 250 Berlin children and teenagers of 25 different nationalities working under choreographer Royston Maldoom who steal the focus. Maldoom has, for the last 30 years,been travelling in an old red post-office van round the world undertaking dance-projects, mostly with street children.
In an article by John Green, Sir Simon Rattle explains why he was so inspired by Maldoom’s work:
"To carry out a dance project with teenagers using Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du Printemps is a desire I have harboured for a long time. Why Sacre? For me it is full of energy, one of the most powerful pieces that have ever been written. This piece of music immediately takes hold of your whole body and it feels as if it is emerging from the depths of the earth.
When I heard about Royston Maldoom’s work with street kids in Ethiopia, I realized that we could bring all the elements together to achieve something quite remarkable. Everybody who witnessed the premiere of the dance was deeply moved by the experience and many of them – including myself – had tears in their eyes when we saw the energy and honesty as well as the unbelievable brilliance and discipline of the young dancers."
Grube and Lansch prove themselves skilled observers of the body's communicative abilities as they follow Maldoom through the chaotic rehearsal process. Just as Rattle makes relevant Stravinsky's music, Maldoom and the young performers illustrate the importance of dance, particularly as it imparts discipline, creativity and personal power.
“This emotional movie tells the stirring tale of respect, tolerance, love and passion, and proves that it is worth using unusual methods to connect the beauty of music with social commitment.”— Financial Times
Screener Available
Official Site: Rhythm Is It
View Trailer: Rhythm Is It
Read Interview with directors Enrique Sanchez and Thomas Grube
Photos at and press kits at: Rhythm Is It
Photos at: http://www.vifc.org/fileshare/login.php
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Vancity Theatre Web Site: www.vifc.org
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