You ever get the uneasy feeling that you’re supposed to love something? And you … don’t? Especially if you’re a woman … at least that’s been my experience. You’re a woman, of COURSE you loved such-and-such. You’re a woman, of COURSE you HATED such-and-such. I swear I don’t go against the grain just for the sake of going against the grain. Bobbi Jene, a documentary about a dancer, has been generating raves. It won Best Documentary at Tribeca. I try not to be baffled at people who have different responses than my own. It’s practically a religion with me. Here, I just had to throw up my hands and admit I was not seeing what other people were seeing. That’s the way it goes.
My review of Bobbi Jene is now up at Rogerebert.com.
// … it’s endless. We all have these problems. Who cares?// LOL oh well, I guess they can’t all be winners. But what a missed opportunity.
I love dance documentaries. Usually. Ballet 422 was riveting. Perhaps the unexpectedly compelling part of it was that we saw nothing of the choreographer’s personal life, except a glimpse of his apartment. His creativity was omnipresent, however, and that’s what I wanted to see – what I yearn to see.
Love you! Xoxo
My dear friend – I get behind in answering comments!! Bad Sheila!
I share your love of Ballet 422. Its focus on process – and the pressure on him – and how he creates a dance out of nothing – incredible!!
Bobbi Jene does have some of that but I couldn’t help the feeling that she was being self-indulgent – which isn’t a problem if you’re a genius – but is a problem if you’re kind of just an ordinary woman. God, that sounds so brutal. But her one-woman show – which we could barely see – and what we did see … it just looked like a naked woman writhing on the floor (for two of her ex-lovers) … and I wondered … what exactly is the point?
Other people have fallen in LOVE with this film – and I’m sure I’ll get some angry emails about it. Women are supposed to love watching stories of other womens’ self-expression. Oh well.
But you should see it for yourself, don’t take my word for it!
Love you!