Play(2018)

Three Dances(sv)

About two key pioneers of Swedish dance in the 1900s: Birgit Åkesson and Birgit Cullberg. Both were born in 1908 and became choreographers who made a big impression in the international dance history. Birgit Åkesson, in the serious "Fertility" directed by Alf Sjoberg, debuted in 1934 in Paris. She was co-designed the European avant-garde modern dance language, and created in the 1950s and 1960s, legendary works for the Stockholm Opera together with others including composer Karl-Birger Blomdahl and Erik Lindegren as librettist. Birgit Cullberg gives a much more relaxed and humorous impressions in "Antonius & Cleopatra", directed by Gerd Osten. Cullberg got her big break as a choreographer a few years in "Miss Julie" in 1950. After spending some time abroad Birgit Cullberg returned to Sweden and formed in 1967 the Cullberg Ballet, which she led until 1985. Topsy Håkansson, who performs the role as the gypsy.

A Christmas Carol(en)

The radical new take on Dickens’ classic seeks both to exhume the original story’s gritty commentary on social inequality and the corrupting influence of greed, and to breathe new life into the lyricism of the original text by setting its scenes to extraordinary tableaux of modern dance.

A Tribute to Alvin Ailey(en)

Alvin Ailey played a key role in the growth of modern dance in USA and his company, founded in 1958, is one of the USA’s oldest dance troupes as well as one of the most youthful and vital on the dance scene. In this two-part program, members of Ailey's dance company celebrate his memory by performing three works choreographed by Ailey himself, as well as a special ballet tribute choreographed by Ulysses Dove. Each piece is introduced by Judith Jamison, the dancer and choreographer whose career was nurtured to stardom by Ailey, and who was, at the time of this production, Artistic Director of the company. The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is uniquely eclectic in range, repertory, and style. As a choreographer, Ailey explored the black experience and went beyond, finding universal human truths in all his work.

An Evening with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater(en)

Dazzling, brash and dynamic, yet equally graceful and poetic. DIVINING was Judith Jamison's first major work as a choreographer for Ailey, evoking a strong feeling for African tribal ritual, is set to hauntingly rhythmic drum music. REVELATIONS, often describes as the company's signature tune, has become an American classic. It expresses Ailey's intense feelings for his roots, with Ailey's vivid "blood memories" of the blues, spirituals, gospel music, ragtime and folk songs as well as the hard life of the Southern black during the Depression. Set to Modern Jazz, THE STUCK-UP takes place in modern-day Harlem, about the cruel reality of urban street life as a young man is destroyed by drugs. CRY, choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1971 for Judith Jamison, is one of his most famous pieces. Created as a birthday present for his mother, it is Ailey's tribute to black women and inspires moving emotions with its portrayal of struggle, anger and most importantly, its feeling of celebration.

The Written Face(de)

In Japanese theater, women's roles are traditionally played by men. The man playing the woman's role, the Onnagata, does not imitate the woman, as in the West, but tries to capture her significance. He need not stick close to his model, but draws far more from his own identity - a shift of value takes place, which is nonetheless not a step beyond. THE WRITTEN FACE is an attempt to offer an insight into the Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, one of the last defenders of this ancient and disappearing performing tradition.

Casting a Light on the Dance of Darkness(en)

“Butoh,” literally “dance of darkness,” is an avant-garde form of dance from Japan that few know about, and even fewer practice. As its only practitioner in Singapore, Xue tells us how she fell in love with this obscure, yet liberating, art form.

Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back(en)

Maurice Hines, a charming, gay African-American entertainer navigates the complications of show business while grieving the loss of his more famous, often estranged younger brother, tap dance legend Gregory Hines.

Mudra-Afrique(en)

Mudra Afrique, founded in 1977 in Dakar by Léopold Sédar Senghor and Maurice Béjart, was an important dance school that mixed traditional African dance with modern styles. Germaine Acogny, a skilled teacher, along with dancer, actress Irène Tassembédo and musician Doudou Rose Ndiaye, were key figures in the school. Their work helped Mudra Afrique leave a strong mark on African contemporary dance and music.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Moon Water(en)

The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performs their elegant Tai Chi-based dances to the music of J.S. Bach. Choreography by Lin Hwai-Min. This dance film examines the correlation between essence and appearance, effort and effortlessness, man and woman , all explored using water, mirror, light and reflections.

Guests(en)

In 1972, A Nigerian woman hosts her English colleague for dinner in the hope of getting her prideful husband a job.

The Green Knight(en)

A short story about King Arthur's nephew and the youngest of his knights. Adapted from the 14th century Arthurian poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

The Proud Man(zh)

Click(en)

As Aaliyah embarks on her journey, she reconnects with her family and grapples with fading memories. With her grandmother's health uncertain, will Aaliyah fulfill her dream of becoming a great photographer like her grandfather?

Japan Samurai: Niiro Tsuruchiyo(ja)

An adaptation of the famous novel by Jiromasa Gunji about the difficult story of Niiro Tsuruchiyo, the illegitimate son of the great elder of the Bakumatsu era, Ii Naosuke. This masterpiece depicts the suffering and love of Tsuruchiyo, who never knew his father until the end of his life. Niiro Tsuruchiyo, the illegitimate son of Elder Ii Naosuke, grew up with his mother, a former geisha. However, he was refused an engagement to Yae, the daughter of Samanosuke Yoshimura from the Maeda domain of Kaga Province, to whom she tied her future. After this refusal, Tsuruchiyo begins to be interested in the mystery of his birth…

The Come Up: The Strip Club Edition(en)

Follow Nicky Minaj's entry into the Hip-Hop scene with her debut mixtape "Playtime Is Over".

The Come Up: #Loyalty Is Priceless(en)

See how Lil' Kim has been preparing for her big comeback and upcoming EP in 2012 and more.

Coma Profundo(es)

After an accident, a motorcycle racer falls into a coma, causing hopes and intrigues in those close to him.

The Bedouin Layla(ar)

Layla and Al-Buraq are cousins who pledge their love to each other, but the tribal Sheikh covets Layla. As he plots her kidnapping, he locks her up in the king's palace, but Al-Buraq comes to the rescue.

Everyday Noise(id)

Ayu, a customer service employee, had to pay her mother's rent arrears in the village but her salary was paid late. When she confronted his boss about her salary, she accidentally revealed dark facts in her workplace.