LIFE IN MOVEMENT

This is a moving and invigorating account of the life and work of German-born dancer Tanja Liedtke, who worked as a choreographer in Australia. Her sudden death at 29 occurred shortly after her appointment as Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company in 2007.

The group of close knit collaborators who worked with Tanja reveal the impact her vision, and unexpected absence, had on their lives.

After her death, they continue to perform her avant-garde arrangements, and the keeper of the flame is Tanja’s life and work partner, Solon Ulbrich, who leads the troupe on a European tour in a final tribute.

The film, which won Best Feature at the 2011 South Australia Screen Awards, is directed by Sophie Hyde and Bryan Mason, and is constructed in layers: of childhood movies; private moments captured on film; public performances, and dance rehearsals. These glimpses into the creative process bring the final performances alive and add dimension to the end results.

The film unfurls across different time frames, and offers lengthy scenes from some of the dance sequences. However, even for non-aficionados, it presents a lucid and creative portrait of a vivid life and artist. (RF) ****