Cunningham is an immersive documentary about the early years and artistic development of legendary American dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham. The film is thought-provoking and artistically beautiful. Cunningham is a work of art in and of itself and a journey exploring the development of modern dance.
The film highlights Merce Cunningham's dancing from 1942 to 1972. Artistic innovation and expression is its central theme. Time and space play important roles in the movements between the dancers themselves and their interaction with various settings. The settings for the various dances are as important as any character in the film; I particularly enjoy the outdoor performances with their natural environment. The movie is available in 3D, but I previewed this film in 2D and found it quite moving.
Dance is a very visual experience and director/editor Alla Kovgan gives us a breathtaking story. I love the blending of archival footage and live action in the film, which is perfection and gives you a feeling for the time period. The choreographic collaboration by Jennifer Goggans and Robert Swinston for this documentary is on point and brings another critical element to this story. The music adds emotion and depth with original music for the film composed by renowned Volker Bertelmann.
The message of this film is about exploring self expression and collaboration with others. Merce Cunningham saw his dancers as individuals first and dancers second. He valued their opinions and collaborated with many other artists in various fields such as his long standing friend, composer John Cage and with the iconic Andy Warhol.
As a dancer, I rate this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, as well as adults and dance enthusiasts.
Reviewed ;by Selene W,, KIDS FIRST! reporter
