2008 Films

Of Shadows and Men / Sally Gross - The Pleasure of Stillness

• Of Shadows and Men

  
  2007. France. 23 mins. Directed by Aurélien Foucault, Cédric Quennesson. Produced by Aurélien Foucault, Cédric Quennesson.
  World Premiere

  At some future time, we may appreciate the centuries-old practice of Chinese shadow plays as the forefather of the cinema. But by then the art form might have altogether disappeared. Through the eyes and creations of one of its most celebrated contemporary puppeteers, we witness the exceptional beauty and craft of this art in the milieu it has always thrived in. Sipping hot brews in noisy teahouses, which host a dwindling number of puppet theaters, an aging clientele request their favorite works from a wide repertoire of dynastic history, fantastic tales, and action-packed fights. Not a single young person in sight, they watch with a comfortable balance of passionate admiration and irreverent distraction. Just as we are ready to give up hope for the future of this art, the master’s grandson appears on screen. He may be a child, but he is the Mozart of shadow play. PL

• Sally Gross - The Pleasure of Stillness

  
  2007. USA. 56 mins. Directed by Albert Maysles, Kristen Nutile. Produced by Tanja Meding.
  US Premiere

  Avant-garde dancer and choreographer Sally Gross has been dancing for more than fifty years. Documentary legend Albert Maysles and co-director Kristen Nutile chronicle the New York dancer's celebrated career via breathtaking archival performance footage, as well follow her, vérité-style, for eight months as she and her inspired troupe prepare a new piece. Part biography, part performance film, this is a portrait of an accomplished and enduring artist at work. TM

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