This was my first time watching something in one of Home’s cinemas on the second floor. Home Theatre is an eco-friendly inexhaustible box full of things to see and do.
Tonight’s documentary film was ‘Force Of Nature: Natalia’. It was about dance luminary Natalia Osipova, whose extraordinary turns, twists and spins make her an elegant tornado. The film touched briefly on her upbringing, but was mainly about her demanding career. It offered you a whirlwind tour of the rehearsal rooms of the Royal Ballet and Natalia's contemporary dance projects. Showcasing the reality of the working life of a dance artist.
It was a conventional documentary about a dancer who greatly admires the unconventional and pushing boundaries. The film was structured around interviews with Osipova herself and other dancers, creatives and critics in the dance world. Crosscutting this was rehearsal and live performance footage, charting the process from offstage to centre stage.
The close-up shots intensified your appreciation for this art-form because all the detail, nuance and graft which goes into choreographing and dancing was exposed. Shaky cam shots accentuated the energy and drive of the dancers, while the home footage from Osipova’s childhood was insightful. To be honest, I was expecting more of her early life to be covered though. Personally, I think there were a little too many performances discussed. They could have covered all their topics and talking points with less shows.
Inevitably, opinions were explored regarding the current theatrical climate. It was clear from the film the dance industry was starting to take more risks and devise alternative work in the form of Dance Theatre. Figuratively, when it comes to her career, Osipova has built her own bridge between two worlds of dance: the traditional and non-traditional. She regularly crosses the bridge between both.
Furthermore, the film dissected the creative process which (especially in dance) was about the mind going into the body. Much of the choreographed pieces were created from impulse, feeling and intuition. There were also examples of interdisciplinary practice; for example, the borrowing of Russian Folk Dance in one of the Dance Theatre pieces and Gymnastics in another. A lot of what was talked about could be applied to other areas of the Arts too, like acting. The documentary was plainly aimed at aspiring dancers and Osipova’s followers.
It’s easy to see why Osipova has gained a high profile. She is hardworking, resilient, committed and emotionally invested in what she does. Not only does Osipova get lost in a role, but she envelops herself in the whole process. Here’s someone who is an inspiration to all performers not just dancers. The Arts is an exciting place and this documentary embodies this. It was directed by Gerald Fox and produced by Asterisk Films.
Reviewer - Sam Lowe
on - 2/9/19
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