German-born Pina Bausch (1940 – 2009) was a pioneer in the international world of dancing. Combining modern dance with elements of pantomime, song or acting, she is regarded as the inventor of the so-called „Tanztheater“. Famous arthouse-director Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas, 1984;Wings of Desire, 1987) also combines different elements for his oscar-nominated documentary simply named Pina. Shot in 3D, the film mixes beautfully film dancing sequences (like Pauschs version of Le sacre du printemps) with interviews. To put a finishing touch to it, Wenders added dance choreographies that were filmed round Wuppertal, Germany where Pausch lived. Like Werner Herzog´s masterpiece Cave of Forgotten Dreams (that was robbed by the Academy this year), Pina proves that 3D is not only a gimmick for blockbusters to make explosions look better but can, when properly used, enhance the artistic possibilites of the medium film. The dancers in this film come closer to the viewer than in a dancing theatre – truly sensual and beautiful. The comparison of scenes with reduced, yet artificial sets and those that are shot in Wuppertal – next to streets and highways – make for a great viewing experience. Wenders has created a cinematic monument for a truly impressive woman, who, without a doubt, was a genius in her field.

documentary.net says: Wim Wenders best film in a long time is a visually stunning hommage to choreographer Pina Bausch.

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I was flying to close and messed up I was going for a black balloon that was basically laying on the rocks and was going to try and kick it with my foot. In order to do this I had to fly low and flat between boulders. My left foot clipped a boulder that dragged me into a flat ledge that I took at the waist at full speed. If I had not clipped that boulder I might have made it, I might have still impacted. It’s very hard to tell from the footage. Everything happens very fast. But when you go for a flight where inches are the difference between making it and not making it well impact is very possible. I knew this and took the risk and paid the price for pushing way to hard. I take full responsibility for my actions and am just happy I still have legs to do rehab on.

This is not my first time getting hurt and it will not be my last. I push it, always have and always will. One day I will die and I just hope that when I do, it will be doing something I truly love…

One such country is the US where more than 100 similar reactors – some of them in earthquake zones or close to major cities – are now reaching the end of their working lives. Their owners want to keep them running, but others – from environmentalists to mainstream politicians – are deeply concerned.

Currently 81 years old, Faustino is reaching the end of his life, and his self-imposed isolation is being encroached upon by the forces of government, economy, and tourism. In December 2011, VICE went to document his lifestyle and speak with him about the changing face of Patagonia and the gaucho lifestyle.

by Ericsson

Working Man’s Death

In today’s technological age – is heavy manual labour disappearing or is it just becoming invisible?

Physical work was once celebrated with hymns of praise. But workers today must be content with encouraging one another that their hard work is better than no work at all.

This series looks at the state of physical work in today’s world. Work that is dreary, demanding and at time dangerous.

(Special TV version for Aljazeera, from documentary feature Working Man’s Death)

Watch Part 2 “Brothers”
Watch Part 3 “Ghosts”
Watch Part 4 “Heroes”

Featuring Interviews by:
JJ Abrams – Writer / Director / Producer – SUPER 8
Steven Spielberg – Producer – SUPER 8
Brian Burk – Producer – SUPER 8
Larry Fong – DP – SUPER 8
and more…

WINNER
Audience Award for Best Short Film- AFI/Discovery Silverdocs
Best Documentary Short Film- Sidewalk Motion Picture Festival
Honorable Mention- Nashville Film Festival
Ideal Award- Adventure Film Festival

by Matt Morris

Film by Andrew Wonder

Film by Marcus O’Brien