Since 1983, Rosas danst Rosas has been known as an iconic performance from the repertoire of the Rosas dance company. Thierry De Mey's 2002 film offers a cinematic interpretation of this groundbreaking work. The film was shot in Leuven in the former Technical School, designed by architect Henry Van de Velde. The sharp rhythmic editing creates a surprising visual dynamic that perfectly matches the choreography. The generational difference between the dance groups impressively emphasizes the notions of progress and timelessness that are interwoven in the piece. The film powerfully captures the underlying energy and feminist character of the work, while its aesthetic beauty ensures that it appeals to a wide audience.

“Filming a dance production is a precarious undertaking. The director must abandon any pretense that he can simply make a recording of the performance. Those who settle for a camera in the stands will end up with grainy images of people jumping around in the distance. Close-ups, on the other hand, deprive the viewer of an overview of the choreographic patterns. A filmed dance performance therefore seems doomed to failure. It is nothing more than a weak imitation in which the sensuality of the dance is completely lost. But the director can also make a virtue of necessity. If the camera settings are completely absorbed in the rhythm and movement of the choreography, the filmed dance performance becomes a new, autonomous work of art. Rosas danst Rosas is the dream dance film in this respect. Composer and director Thierry De Mey turned the performance of the same name by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and her company Rosas into an exciting dance film that has visibly enriched the choreography.” – Pieter Bots

“Dance films are a form of pure cinema, just as dance is a form of pure theater, without a story to keep the audience engaged. It is a form of poetry.” – Thierry De Mey

Time: 19:00 - 20:00
Location: Studio 2