Mirror, Music & Saburo Teshigawara at Sadler's Wells

With a strobe lighting warning on the ticket, you can be forgiven in thinking that Saburo Teshigawara latest choreographed performance for Karas called Mirror and Music at Sadler's Wells, is not for the slight of heart. The screeching sounds coupled with the rhythmic pulsating light display was both hypnotic and hallucinogenic. The much anticipated solo performance by Teshigawara was met with gasps as his intricate movements and contorted motion gave the appearance of a body submerged in water.  After bombardment by strobe lights, and the clever usage of props and timing, your eyes were skillfully tricked in ways that only enhanced the overall experience of the performance. This was a complete piece with a central narrative and special attention given to the music which when not high pitch, was rich in classical overtones to compliment the aesthetics of the dance and the dancers' energetic but graceful movements. Described as a master, and cult figure in Japan, he is definitely one to watch out for in the coming months.

Black Venus

After it's UK premiere at the Cine Lumiere last Wednesday, there is another opportunity to watch Abedellatif Kechiche's Black Venus (Vénus noire) at the BFI on Saturday 23rd July it is based of the life story of Saartjie Baartman, a tale which was only brought to the director's attention when the South African government demanding the return of her remains after almost 200 years after her death. Set in19th century England and France, this is a  mammoth of a film, and difficult to watch in parts due to it's extreme characterization, the viewer experiences the film as both the subject and voyeur, and will be left moved by her narrative, as a reward for making it to the end, there is a sense of closure, albeit in the absent of justice.