Pina: dir Wim Wenders (2011)

A captivating dance documentary that celebrates the life and work of the world-renowned choreographer Pina Bausch. During the preparations for the film in 2009, Bausch died suddenly; the dancers of Bausch’s company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, convinced him to proceed as a way of memorializing Bausch and her choreography. The film has four major stage performances actually rehearsed by Bausch, interspersed with solo and duet dances from many of Bausch’s other works; many of the dancers relate their stories of working with Pina. As a result, Pina is a tribute to an extraordinary artist who redefined the boundaries of modern dance. The screening, in the MOVE ON FILM season, is followed by a talk and Q&A with Jean Laurent Sasportes (a principal dancer with the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch from 1979 to 1997 who has continued to be involved with the Pina Bausch repertoire).