MEDIATHEK

Edin Velez’s study of Butoh includes archival footage of early Butoh pioneer Tatsumi Hijikata, who is credited as the form’s originator. Kazuo Ohno, another early Butoh performer, is shown performing his famous “Admiring La Argentina,” and other works. Other companies whose works are shown include Akaji Mori’s Dai Rakuda Kan, Isamu Ohsuga’s Byakko Sha, and Yoko Ashikawa’s Hakutoboh. These examples reveal the depth and diversity of Butoh as it has evolved. Many of these dancers worked directly with Hijikata at some point and all speak to his influence, as they are interviewed about the art form. One performer, Akiko Motofuji, explains, “Ballet and modern dance spring from the earth…Hijikata created a dance, which crawls on the earth.

With commentary by Mark Holborn and excerpts from:

Dai Rakuda Kan
„The Five Rings“
„Tamai Re“
„The Silver Seed“
„Untitled No. 2“
„Untitled“

Byakko Sha
„Parade“ (Gyo Retsu)
„Tai Matsu“
„Civil Wars“

Byakko Sha/Hiruta Sanae
„Tama Jari Hi Me“ 

Kazuo Ohno
„Admiring La Argentina“

Yoshito Ohno
„The Dead Sea“

Eikoh Hosoe
„Navel and A-Bomb“ (1960)

Tatsumi Hijikata
„Hoso-tan“ (1972)
„Kaze no Keshiki“ 1976 (Regie Keiya Ouchida)

Shinsuke Ogawa
„Magino Mura Monogatari“

Hiroshi Nakamura
„Nikutai no Hanran“ (1968)

FEATURING:

• Kazuo Ohno
• the group "Dai Rakuda Kan" (founded and led by Akaji Maro)
• the group "Byakko Sha" (founded by Isamu Ohsuga previously a member of the "Dai Rakuda Kan")
• the group "Hakutoboh" (led by Yoko Ashikawa, long-time dancer of Hijikata)
• Akiko Motofuji
• Yoshito Ohno
• Eikoh Hosoe
• Shinsuke Ogawa
• Hiroshi Nakamura

DIRECTOR/CAMERA: Edin Velez

VTR/AUDIO: Ethel Velez

EDITORS: Frank Markward, Robert Beyer, Tom Crawford, Rick Feist

ELECTRONIC GRAPHICS: Joyce Abrams

TITLE ANIMATION: Ramon Guzman

Produced by Ethel Velez and Edin Velez in association with La Sept and New Television WNET/WGBH

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https://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_B0C17FEFA7A540B6979A0ACD602AF92E [2023-04-17] | https://www.edinvelez.com/works/dance-of-darkness [2023-04-17] | https://www.eai.org/titles/dance-of-darkness [2023-04-17]