Rigas's Black Box follows a number of students in the premier dance school in Athens. The film focuses on their preparation for a modern interpretive dance recital that takes place in the school's special space, the "Black Box".
I was deeply touched by Black Box. Although I did not think I was a fan of modern dance, I found the film profound and moving. The dancing itself was exciting and evocative, the use of music right-on: for example, the use of Bach's dramatic Erbarme Dich (from St Matthew's Passion) as backdrop to the passionate, almost violent dancing was inspiring.
Most interesting were the clips of the interviews of the dancers themselves. Barely 20 years old, these students describe their reasons for dancing in ways that betrayed depth and pathos that was simply stunning.
I think this is Gerasimos Rigas's best film to date, more mature than Parvas and much tighter than Habits.
I would give the film a 10/10 but I felt there was not enough context about the school and the protagonists.
I was deeply touched by Black Box. Although I did not think I was a fan of modern dance, I found the film profound and moving. The dancing itself was exciting and evocative, the use of music right-on: for example, the use of Bach's dramatic Erbarme Dich (from St Matthew's Passion) as backdrop to the passionate, almost violent dancing was inspiring.
Most interesting were the clips of the interviews of the dancers themselves. Barely 20 years old, these students describe their reasons for dancing in ways that betrayed depth and pathos that was simply stunning.
I think this is Gerasimos Rigas's best film to date, more mature than Parvas and much tighter than Habits.
I would give the film a 10/10 but I felt there was not enough context about the school and the protagonists.
