In the Upper Room

Joan Denise Moriarty doggedly followed her dream of bringing ballet to every corner of Ireland. A pioneer of early 20th century Irish dance, she dared to create a uniquely Irish form of ballet inspired by her love of nature and Irish folklore. Her life's work has been largely overlooked since her death.

Thousands of years in a mysterious land called The Middle Kingdom, many legends were created. Martial arts was one of them, made famous by its name Kungfu. In an ancient temple we encounter a little boy. Through practicing Zen Buddhism and Kungfu, our little monk eventually grows and finally reaches the sacred goal of enlightenment.

A short experimental dance film about the use of the body as an instrument of temporal expression, focusing on how our memories are held and revealed in our movement.

One of several collaborative dance films by the Brothers Quay & (dancer, choreographer) William Tuckett. Little enough info around on line, but there's briefly by way of Wikipedia entry. Adapted rather loosely from the works of the E.T.A. Hoffman. Familiar Quays' tropes, much in evidence: automata, trompe l'oeil effects, etc. No credit on the sound design (which is fairly elaborate), tho' that is possibly Larry Sider.

Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann takes off for a night while in Rome. When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley, who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann's regal identity and bets his editor he can get exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way.

A live recording of Carl Orff's world-famous musical masterpiece Carmina Burana, performed by more than 100 singers and dancers of the National Opera and Ballet of Ukraine (Odessa).

BABYBABYBABY is a dance about dances about love. Directed and choreographed by Laila J. Franklin, this evening-length work taps into feelings of budding romance, when falling in love is silly and fast and sexy and devastating and you are brilliant and stupid and spellbound. Conceived as a meta-commentary on popular Contemporary dance aesthetics, obfuscated by post-modern and improvisatory movement practice, the piece sparks reflection about the human impulse for connection and versions of intimacy through the lens of love.

Suzuki Shizuka is an office lady at a conglomerate who is hypnotized at a local amusement park and left under the spell. Now she is compelled to sing and dance whenever she hears any melody whatsoever. She heads back to the hypnotist for relief, but he is nowhere to be found. So Shizuka sets off on a journey around Japan to find him and break the spell.

(A)lter (A)ction, 1968. Videotape, black-and-white, sound; 65 minutes (director's edit: 57 minute television version).

Documentary on the great American Ballerina Wendy Whelan

A gold prospector in Alaska struggles to survive the elements and win the heart of a dance hall girl.