Dances of Ecstasy

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DVD details

Actor: Gabrielle Roth, Michelle Mahrer, Nicole Ma
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 240 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte

DVD Reviews of Dances of Ecstasy

DVD Review: One of my favorites!
Summary: 5 Stars

This is a brilliantly colourful whirl of a journey around the world showing diverse peoples' use of dance to induce a trance state of consciousness. From the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey to the plains of Africa, it is shown that all nations share a common root in dance; we see the same group dynamics in Sufi, Muslim & San cultures. The drum beats are hypnotic, the dancing, at times, frantic. It was touching to see small children of different cultures joining in with such enthusiasm and abandon. The camera work is trance-like in itself, intensifying the scenes of ritual and interspersing the short interviews of those healers and dancers taking part.

Kathleen Roth, (healer, philosopher and artist, known for her dance workshops in the States) appears in the film along with her students dancing far away from the plains of Africa and the Middle East, where it originated, and apparently achieving the same ecstatic state. The aim is for the dancer and the dance to become one - a form of meditation also advocated by Osho, the infamous Guru from India. He taught his followers mind-body balancing through meditation, and his recommended meditation often included movement in the form of dance.

This film is more than an anthropological documentary; it brings our attention to the spiritual and what different nations have managed to retain and regain in our modern, mechanical world.

DVD Review: Shambles but worth wading through
Summary: 3 Stars

When I first watched this I also wanted to throw it in the bin...then whilst reading the other reviews realised that you can view the rituals by themselves without the agonising (but well intended) el rapido jump cuts and computer graphics which turn the specific cultural forms into a new age- its all manic ADD bliss- anthropological shambles...Yes its all one...in a blinding blurr of sort of related images in the editing suite...There seems to be a standing assumption that whizzy digital animation enhances the spiritual/dance experience or is somehow consumate with it...everyone does it right...???? But on a more serious note, trance and possession may involve dark entities and psychosis... which is of no consequence I suppose in New York lofts. Whilst there may be collective archetypes in there somewhere its annoyingly diffuse. Anything goes anywhere and thats trance? Moreover the commentary, such as it is, is only ever a few vaguely decontextualised fragments. The accompanying booklet helps a little here. Still, I'd recommend the DVD for the separate rituals and its kinda nice to hear the film makers relating their experiences in a fairly niave way..gives us a picture of how most Westerners view cultural diversity and how our 'spiritual language' fails to get far beyond new age cliche. (not saying I'm any less gulity here but I have done some research into shamanic possession states both via academic sources and with an initiated shaman. The guy I worked with never ceased to be amazed at how the new age movement manages to obscure the darker side of religious forces in other cultures locating them all in their own western trad- which don't dance) In simplest terms if you open your self up without having a clue what your doing why think only the good guys or vibes rush in? (all is one right?) From a Jungian point of view the shadow is actually enhanced by such denial. The point I'm trying to make is that the FORM of the main film turns these ancient rituals into advertising grabs for western consumption- ie pastes them into a get as much as ya can as fast as ya can shop...The more documentary style accompanying film has poise and lets you catch your breath occassionally. More importantly it gives the viewer (at least some) time to open their heart toward the participating individuals who have so generously let the digitalised crew in on their sacred worlds...
This said, I like Gabriels wave dance videos for the same reason...when you get past the new age tone of the speak, the actual action and how she mobilises the process makes for an inspiring dance along...

DVD Review: Good sampling of what to expect at her dance retreats
Summary: 5 Stars

The first DVD shows many cultures and religions using dance to enter different mental states so it is a pretty good quality documentary. The second DVD shows her five rhythms method in action using some of her better dancers from her classes.

I bought the DVDs before attending a weekend retreat. She and her son are very loving, aware teachers. They were very good at helping us to feel into every part of our body to allow it to dance. Trance can take you below thought or above thought into acute awareness just as meditation can. My intention at the retreat was to drop all resistance to flow. Gabrielle recognized the instant I did that and danced over to congratulate me.

DVD Review: Excelent Documentary.... Must see...
Summary: 5 Stars

This is one of the best documentaries that I have seen about the spiritual journey of human beings. Dances of ecstasy is very well done, and explores the journey towards individuation through movement. I was able to understand much more how does movement and dance influences our lives, and how it is through that, that we can truly embody our spiritual selves. Spirituality through ideas or beliefs becomes spiritual bi-passing. Spirituality grounded in the body, becomes metabilized. This documentary shows us how do we integrate our spiritual selves into our lives and material existence (body).

I highly recommend it for people interested in experiential therapies such as Holotropic Breathwork, Dance/Movement therapy, BioDanza, Authentic Movement, Shamanism, etc...

DVD Review: Dance documentary
Summary: 5 Stars

IT's pretty good. Authentic. Impressive that these film makers can blend in so well. A big plus on film composition.

Description of Dances of Ecstasy

"Dances of Ecstasy" is a 2 DVD set that explores how different people around the world connect with the transcendental forces through rhythm and dance. The first DVD is a sensory journey through rhythm, dance and music. Viewers visit Namibia, Korea, Nigeria, New York, Brazil, Turkey, Morocco, USA and Australia on a trance journey. The disc also features four illuminating documentaries about various rituals portrayed in the film and a commentary by the producers. There is also a closer look at a whirling dervishes festival. DVD 2 is a workout for the soul that invites viewers to join in and participate themselves with a complete "Power Wave" workout by New York urban shaman Gabrielle Roth, or dance on their own to the included tracks of global dance grooves - with psychedelic visuals by D-Fuse. This second DVD also features two "hidden" bonus videos by One Giant Leap and James Asher.

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