INTERVIEW
Asif Kapadia and Akram Khan
IN THE OPENING SCENE OF CREATURE, a new film based on an English National Ballet production at Sadler’s Wells two years ago, a man appears out of nowhere, writhing, squirming, twitching. He is not in agony but suffering from something possibly worse: bewilderment. When he walks, he loses his footing. It’s a ballet turned upside down; instead of rising to the air in an elegant saute, the dancer flounders uncomfortably on the ground. Creature, as the nameless protagonist is known, has been transplanted to an entirely unfamiliar environment – a polar research station – where he is being subjected to an experiment to test the limits of the human body to endure cold, isolation and homesickness.
The architects of this film were themselves transplanted to an unfamiliar environment when making it. Asif Kapadia, known for directing documentary portraits of Amy Winehouse and Diego Maradona, had never even been to see a ballet when he was asked to adapt this one for the cinema. It would also be a first feature film for Creature’s originator, Akram Khan, a choreographer known for injecting a heavy dose of south Asian and contemporary dance into the genteel ballet world. Khan has won an Olivier award and Kapadia an Oscar. Despite their mastery of their disciplines, neither has dared venture too far outside them – until now.
Esta historia es de la edición February 24, 2023 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 24, 2023 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
From a small step for man to a giant gold rush for mankind
If the 20th-century space race was about political power, this century's will be about money. But for those who dream of sending humans back to the moon and possibly Mars, it's an exciting time to be alive whether it's presidents or billionaires paying the fare.
A bitter pill Inside the anti-doping movement's civil war
Furore over Chinese swimmers has sparked an ugly dispute between organisations that target athletes who use banned substances
Museum of Yoruba life is custommade for Lagos
Opposite the Nigerian National Museum in central Lagos, a swimming pool and a memorial hall once stood as an integral part of the city, a popular congregation point that evoked a sense of pride.
First steps for Nutbush Quest goes on for origin of line dance
For 50 years, Australian primary school students have been learning the steps to a dance that will carry them through social events and weddings and allow them to locate other Australians across crowded nightclubs anywhere in the world.
Press freedom How political attacks are rising globally
Political attacks on press freedom, including the detention of journalists, suppression of independent media outlets and widespread dissemination of misinformation, have significantly intensified in the past year, according to the annual World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Rio reporters risking all to shine light on the city's underworld
A brutal killing in 2018 has inspired journalists to probe the links between police, politicians and mafia
Is great ape tourism to blame for killing off chimps?
Viruses that only cause common colds in humans are devastating populations of chimpanzees and gorillas
Dig for disaster Calls to move to centre or right won't help Sunak out of this hole
As terrible council and mayoral results rolled in for the Conservatives last Friday, was there any part of Rishi Sunak that regretted sealing Boris Johnson's fate as prime minister by resigning as his chancellor less than two years ago?
Heritage lost as Britain's crafts 'face extinction level event'
From rush weaving to kilt making, numbers of artisans are dwindling, but one charity hasa plan to save the sector
'I can't kill' Kyiv has trouble with recruitment
Asthe war stretches on, some menare evading conscription and the armed forces are short of soldiers