Abstract

By drawing on my own practice led research, literature and critiquing existing dance films, this paper aims to illustrate why dance film is not communicating to the general public. Dance film is one of the many offshoots that have occurred since the joining together of dance and screen media. At present, dance film is mostly seen by dancers, has low audience ratings, and is not shown in mainstream cinemas. (Towers, D, 2011, email, 2nd March) It is a highly theoretical and complex subject area in which there are many debates and definitions in circulation. What this paper aims to do is provide a critique of dance film. It looks at the existing conflicting theories regarding what dance film is. It discusses the definitions in circulation with the aim of illustrating how dance film has a problem defining itself. By talking to specialists, dancers and the general public, it discusses how the non–specialist audience is alienated from dance film. This research paper also looks at where dance film is being shown at present and how it is isolated from other genres of film. By drawing on my own practice led research, literature, and critiquing existing dance films, it aims to illustrate why dance film is not communicating to the general public.