Israel, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands

Synopsis

This documentary chronicles the life and work of modern dance choreographer Ohad Naharin, offering a glimpse into the artistic genius' creative process.
Filmmaker Tomer Heymann, who has known Ohad Naharin for more than 20 years, spent eight of those making this documentary. In the process, he interviewed Naharin's friends, dancers and colleagues. He also filmed rehearsals at the Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, where the sinuous Ohad Naharin has been artistic director and choreographer since 1990. Naharin himself speaks of his early kibbutz childhood, his late introduction to dance, a brief spell at Martha Graham's company, his adored wife, and his work, including the creation of his own movement language, Gaga. This richness of Naharin's life-story is further amplified by stunning dance excerpts from his explosive, hypnotic and stylish productions.

Director's Statement

The seeds for this film were planted about 20 ago, when I first saw Naharin's Batsheva Dance Group on stage. My head and my heart experienced a giant upheaval, like a superb cocktail of alcohol and drugs, but without the alcohol and without the drugs. A continuum of movement, music, energy, sexuality, sensuality, and dancers you could fall in love with without knowing why. From that evening on, I became an obsessive consumer of Batsheva’s art of dance.

Naharin is a tough nut to crack, very complex and contradictory character, which makes him a fascinating subject for a documentary film image.

Director's Biography

Born in Israel in 1970, Tomer Heymann has directed documentary films and series since 1997.
His films were screened and won awards at international film festivals such as Berlinale, HotDocs, IDFA, LAFF, Sheffield and were theatrically released around the world, making him one of the documentary film industry's leading directors.

Filmography:

2016 - WHO'S GONNA LOVE ME NOW?
2014 - ALIZA
2011 - THE QUEN HAS NO CROWN
2010 - I SHOT MY LOVE
2009 - THE WAY HOME
2007 - OUT OF FOCUS
2007 - DEBUT
2007 - BLACK OVER WHITE
2007 - CINDERELLAS
2006 - PAPER DOLLS
2003 - AVIV-FUCKED-UP GENERATION
2001 - IT KINDA SCARES ME
2000 - LAUGH TIL I CRY
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Tomer Heymann

Written by: Tomer Heymann

Produced by: Barak Heymann, Diana Holtzberg

Cinematography: Itai Raziel

Editing: Alon Greenberg, Ido Mochrik, Ron Omer

Original Score: Ishai Adar

Sound Design: Alex Claude

Cast: Ohad Naharin

Nominations and Awards

  • European Documentary 2016
  • Documentary Selection 2016