10pm Tuesday, 08 April 2008

The ABC of Dance 4 Film will challenge your expectations and tantalise your senses. Hosted by Australian dancer and choreographer Frances Rings and UK hip hop artist and theatre director Jonzi D, the three episodes showcase short dance films from around the world.

The series is a unique collaboration between ABC TV, Channel 4 (UK), Arts Council England and the Australia Council for the Arts. The films have been sourced from eight different countries and also include five films that were chosen competitively to be especially commissioned for the project.
Interviews with some of the dancers and creators provides a fascinating insight into their creative processes. Each of the films vary in style; from the impressionistic and narrative to pop culture and hip hop as well as the classically inspired. Open your mind and enjoy the visual delight of these original and entertaining dance films.
The first episode features Dis-oriental, a specially commissioned Australian film that explores the themes of destruction and displacement. Choreographed and performed by Yumi Umiumare, it is based on Yumi's experience as a survivor of Japan's Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.
Episode one also features; a smoky Russian duet who take an interesting look at the history of human relationships in 10 Exhalations; skateboarding and dance merge in the very inventive urban film Lick Your Pavement and both contemporary and lyrical is the beautifully structured film The Rain by Swedish choreographer and director Pontus Lidberg.
The ABC of Dance 4 Film will be repeated on ABC2 - Sunday, April 13 at 7pm