Dansen

This is a fairly straightforward documentary that does what it says on the can. It illustrates to us the huge range of dances and of dancers that can participate. Some more liberally and naturally; some with much more choreographed performances on their own, in partnerships or as an ensemble. With a little help from Ravel’s suitably lengthy “Bolero”, we also have an opportunity to appreciate some of the stagecraft that also goes into framing the scenes for some of the more professional artistes that we see here, but there is still plenty of chance to see this medium as a form of exercise, a method of honing coordination and also for youngsters learning a little of synchronicity and even intimacy as dancing bridges gaps between the sexes and the ages. It’s competently edited together and as an introduction to the variety of steps and styles available, it’s an useful introduction.