Pina
Directed by: Wim Wenders
Cast: Pina Bausch
Running Time: 1 hr 46 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: January 20, 2012
PLOT: A 3D documentary that celebrates the unique style of choreographer Pina Bausch, as performed by those who worked with her throughout her life.
WHO'S IT FOR?: You don't have to be a fan of dance to get caught up in Pina. Outsiders are just as welcome, considering the many interpretations each choreography can provide. Those who do have knowledge of dance, or even experience, would be sad to miss seeing this in 3D.
OVERALL
Boosted by the beautiful work in Scorsese's Hugo, 3D is given another reason not to be totally hated with Pina. Wenders keeps his camera alive during performances by using a lot of handheld, and makes the 3D image worthwhile by bringing his camera right into the action. Joining artful directors like Scorsese and Werner Herzog, he uses 3D to its full potential. Just as they have done with their curious forays into the format, he makes his 3D imagery look more rich than anything we could see in real life. In a somewhat blasphemous statement, seeing Pina for 12 dollars will be more rewarding to your eyes than a seat in the back row at an actual dance event (but don't tell anyone else I said that).
Wenders provides a great amount of different, vivid sequences for the audience to chew on. There's the usage of large rocks, large rooms, a lot of chairs, tall cliffs, open spaces, etc. Such sequences also use wild locations, such as an island in the middle of the road, or the inside of a trolley car.
During these sequences, Wenders often has someone speak about the piece, or about how the instructions of Pina changed the way they view the world (the dancers themselves become memorable landscapes for the film). Basically, Pina is a group of artists speaking artistically about their art. It's the Avatar of an arthouse experience, and not just because its in 3D.
As stated in its ads, Pina is not a movie made about choreographer Pina Bausch, so much as a movie made for her, by Wim Wenders. It is the type of radiant passion project that's contagious, regardless of whatever you knowledge of the subject you may carry into the movie theater. Pina loves movement, Wenders loves Pina's movement, and while experiencing Pina (in 3D, preferably), you'll be caught up in its passion.
FINAL SCORE: 7/10