Tomer Heymann’s film ‘Mr. Gaga’ in Melbourne

The renowned Canadian festival Hot Docs, the world’s leading documentary film festival, has come to Australia for the first time this month. Running June 14-July 3 at Palace Cinemas in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, Hot Docs is screening various films, including some about dance.

Firstly, the film Mr. Gaga by Director Tomer Heymann will soon be screened in Melbourne on Friday, June 24 at 8 pm at Palace Cinema Como. The film allows viewers to enter the world of Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, who was previously dubbed “one of the most important choreographers in the world” by The New York Times. Naharin’s works have truly redefined the language of dance and Heymann’s film creates a “portrait of a maverick still fighting for creative freedoms in his homeland.” Once a sought-after dancer with Martha Graham and Maurice Bejart, Naharin has spent more than 25 years pushing the boundaries of physical and political expression as the leader of Tel Aviv’s Batsheva Dance Company. To see this film that unravels his one-of-a-kind movement technique known as “gaga”, book tickets here.

Hot Docs will also present A Ballerina’s Tale, all about the story of Misty Copeland, and the Burlesque-focused League of Exotique Dancers.

A Ballerina’s Tale, directed by Nelson George, “paints a moving portrait” (Village Voice) of Misty Copeland, who fought against all the odds to become the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. The documentary showcases her rise to fame and the tough reality of a ballerina’s life. It will be presented in Melbourne on Saturday, June 25 at 12 pm at Palace Cinema Como and then Sunday, June 26 at 2 pm at Palace Westgarth. It’s also coming to Sydney’s Palace Verona on Sunday, June 26 at 2:30 pm and Wednesday, June 29 at 4 pm. To book tickets or learn more, click here.

League of Exotique Dancers, on the other hand, is about neither ballet nor contemporary dance, as it’s fixated on “the golden heyday of the age of Burlesque, seen through the eyes, legs and swivelling hips of some of the sassiest, sauciest characters ever to grace its stages.” Suitable only for adults, the documentary will be presented at various times in each city center. For scheduling details or to reserve your tickets, click here.

Be on the lookout for an interview with documentary filmmaker Tomer Heymann in Dance Informa’s Australian July edition. Learn more about Mr. Gaga in this article from the Dance Informa USA January 2014 edition: www.danceinforma.com/2014/01/07/mr-gaga-zooms-mysterious-world-ohad-naharin

Photo: Dancers in the film Mr. Gaga. Photo by Gadi Dagon.