[title]
For the 43rd edition of Dance on Camera, a festival presented by Dance Films Association and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the lens is focused on subjects as varied as Meredith Monk, cheerleaders and Elizabeth Streb. Parkinson's patients perform at the Mark Morris Dance Center. And a Swedish choreographer, Ami Skanberg Dahlstedt, delves into Japanese mythology in The Dance of the Sun. Here are some standouts:
Let's Get the Rhythm: The Life and Times of Miss Mary Mack
Irene Chagall explores the choreography of hand-clapping games perfected by children—mainly girls—from all over the world. Jan 30 at 3:15pm.
Girlchild Diary
This documentary focuses on the creative process, specifically Meredith Monk revisiting Education of the Girlchild, her iconic work about transformation. The occasion is a 1993 reunion of the production's cast; it's a fascinating look into the mind of one of our greatest artists. Jan 30 at 8pm.
American Cheerleader
James Pellerito and David Barba explore the competitive world of cheerleading in this real-life version of Bring It On. Seriously. Jan 31 at 1pm.
Mia, A Dancer's Journey
The Croatian ballerina Mia Slavenska, a star of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, reclaims the spotlight in this riveting documentary that traces her career from dancer to teacher in this collaboration between Maria Ramas, Slavenska's daughter, and Kate Johnson, a video artist and filmmaker. Jan 31 at 3:30pm.
Hamadryad with Miki Orihara Glen Mordeci
Hamadryad
Nancy Allison and Paul Allman direct this short, which recreates Jean Erdman's 1948 choreography for Hamadryad, in which a wood nymph finds herself in a forest dancing to Debussy's Syrinx. Miki Orihara, the Martha Graham dancer, stars. Jan 31 at 3:30pm.
Capturing Grace
This moving documentary follows a group of Parkinson's patients as they prepare to perform a program of dances by Mark Morris and John Heginbotham at the Mark Morris Dance Center. Feb 1 at 1pm.
Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity
Director Catherine Gund follows the daredevil company, directed by Elizabeth Streb, at its Brooklyn home and as her dancers prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Feb 1 at 3:20pm.
All That Jazz 20th Century Fox/Columbia/The Kobal Collection
All That Jazz
The semi-autobiographical 1979 classic, directed by Bob Fosse, stars Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon—an unhealthy, obsessive and brilliant choreographer—as his life swirls out of control. The screening of this digitally restored film will be preceded by a panel discussion featuring assistant choreographer Gene Foote; Fosse's daughter, Nicole; and several dancers. Feb 1 at 5:45pm.
The Dance of the Sun
Swedish choreographer Ami Skanberg Dahlstedt teams up with Folke Johanssohn for this evocative, highly personal and slightly bizarre portrait of Japanese dance and theater that takes place in studios and parks in Kyoto. A New York premiere. Feb 2 at 3:30pm.
Desert Dancer
The festival closes with Richard Raymond's feature set against the 2009 Iranian riots and based on the true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, who defied a government ban and formed a dance group. Feb 3 at 8:15pm.