Captivating Dance Films and Their Impact on Artists

The camera often captures kinetic objects compellingly. A prime example is Albert Lamorisse’s 1956 short featuring a red balloon drifting through the streets of Paris. Yet, the dancing human form remains a vibrant source of fascination. This interest dates back to the ‘Serpentine Danse’ films around 1895, which vividly portrayed the swirling dresses of performers in hand-tinted pastels. We are drawn to spectacle and talent, both of which can convey emotion and craft narratives. Film uniquely preserves these elements, capturing movements in time, as described by art historian RoseLee Goldberg. She compares live dance to an elusive ‘wind’ that film manages to capture.

Seeking summer film inspiration inspired by dance, we consulted ten professionals in performance to share their recommended films that resonate with them and influence their work.

Scenes from Claire Denis’s 1999 film Beau Travail

Beau Travail, Claire Denis, 1999

Celia Rowlson-Hall, 42, choreographer and director

Celia Rowlson-Hall watched Beau Travail about a decade ago, and she was struck by its brilliance. The film features Denis Lavant as a sergeant in the French Foreign Legion. The final scene showcases a two-minute dance filled with specificity and intention. The gradual buildup to this moment is equally enthralling. It begins in a nightclub, with soldiers dancing with local women. The narrative then shifts to the harsh desert environment of Djibouti, highlighting their rigorous training. These exercises, like ballet movements, differ in execution but maintain a shared goal. Denis’s decision to cut midturn leaves Lavant’s dance spinning endlessly in the viewer’s mind.

The dance-off scene in Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’s 1961 film West Side Story

West Side Story, Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, 1961

RoseLee Goldberg, art historian and curator

Growing up in Durban, South Africa, RoseLee Goldberg was deeply engaged in dance. When West Side Story debuted in 1961, it became an obsession. The film, an adaptation of a successful Broadway production, addressed racial tension and youth culture in New York. Its themes were relatable to her experiences in South Africa. Jerome Robbins, the choreographer, became a significant influence on Goldberg. In a gym scene, the different stances of the Sharks and the Jets stuck with viewers, leaving them eager to emulate the finger-snapping energy portrayed.

Consuelo Harris dancing in Oscar Micheaux’s 1938 film Swing!

These films exemplify how dance captures imagination and conveys profound stories, solidifying their place in cinematic history.