The ballets of Mats Ek: Baryshnikov and Guillem
Балеты Матса Эка: Барышников и Гиллем
Two studio recordings of theatrical works by Swedish choreographer Mats Ek are combined into one evening. "The Place" and "Bye" are performed by the greatest ballet artists who are concluding their dance careers. However, when it comes to Mikhail Baryshnikov and Sylvie Guillem, the brightest stars of the 20th century, there is no need to speak of weakness or age. These performances are united not only by the choreographer's authorship but also by the sense of incredible inner strength, boundless love, and dedication to the profession.
Actors
Crew
Director (The Place)
Jonas Akerlund
Is age an obstacle for dance? Certainly, yes. But not when it comes to geniuses - those who age like everyone else but flawlessly master their bodies and know the limits of their abilities. Two works by Swedish choreographer Mats Ek serve as an example of this.
"The Place" is performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov (who was over 60 at the time) and Ek's wife, his muse Ana Laguna. It is a half-hour dialogue - reminiscences, arguments, quarrels, grievances, love, warmth, and the reliability of a familiar back. Two solitudes and a united whole. And if one is destined to outlive the other? What remains after so many years? The place where they were happy together.
"Bye" is a ballet created for the French ballerina Sylvie Guillem. With such a telling title, the unique artist bid farewell to the stage, wishing to leave at the peak of her form. This monologue about life, love, and creativity is highly personal and, at the same time, deeply abstract, combining multiple "I's." The "I" of the ballerina Sylvie Guillem, concluding a brilliant dance career. The "I" of a middle-aged woman, shedding the cocoon of age and the burden of worries in memories. The "I" of an actress who is about to step for the first time beyond the stage and blend into the crowd - crossing the glass wall that separates her from the ordinary world. It is time to say "goodbye" and start a new life
"The Place" is performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov (who was over 60 at the time) and Ek's wife, his muse Ana Laguna. It is a half-hour dialogue - reminiscences, arguments, quarrels, grievances, love, warmth, and the reliability of a familiar back. Two solitudes and a united whole. And if one is destined to outlive the other? What remains after so many years? The place where they were happy together.
"Bye" is a ballet created for the French ballerina Sylvie Guillem. With such a telling title, the unique artist bid farewell to the stage, wishing to leave at the peak of her form. This monologue about life, love, and creativity is highly personal and, at the same time, deeply abstract, combining multiple "I's." The "I" of the ballerina Sylvie Guillem, concluding a brilliant dance career. The "I" of a middle-aged woman, shedding the cocoon of age and the burden of worries in memories. The "I" of an actress who is about to step for the first time beyond the stage and blend into the crowd - crossing the glass wall that separates her from the ordinary world. It is time to say "goodbye" and start a new life
Language
None
Runtime
0 hours 51 minutes with one intermission
Act 1
29 min
Intermission
0 min
Act 2
22 min
2009
12+
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