MMDG ON FILM

THE HARD NUT (1992)

Revealing the depth of Morris's unsurpassed talents in a seemingly endless display of creativity and masterful dancing, The Hard Nut will leave you laughing breathlessly one moment (with hilarious snowflakes and waltzing flowers) and with a lump in your throat the next (a deeply moving pas de deux). Performed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and part of the Great Performances series from PBS, this innovative, iconoclastic adaptation of the Christmas favorite features dancers in nontraditional costumes. Flapper dresses, go-go boots, leather, and hip huggers are some of the styles worn by the performers on the minimalist set. Gone are the toy soldiers, and in their place are Barbie dolls and G.I. Joe lookalikes.

Based on the book by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and filmed live from the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, the production preserves the beloved music of Tchaikovsky, which remains the constant in this otherwise distinctively contemporary take on a Christmas classic.


MMDG accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie
Sylvain Cambreling, Musical Director

Choreography by Mark Morris
Production based on the work of Charles Burns

Produced by Judy Kinberg
Directed by Matthew Diamond
Executive Producer: Jac Venza
A Production of Thirteen/WNET with NYV ARTS
in association with RTP, Portugal and YLE, Finland
Distributed by Nonesuch Records
PURCHASE DVD
Champion Nutcracker, Viewer's Choice 2008, Ovation TV
Best Nutcracker, Viewer's Choice 2007, Ovation TV

FALLING DOWN STAIRS (1998)

Renowned cello virtuoso Yo-Yo Ma embarks on an intense year long collaboration with choreographer Mark Morris, which culminates in a spectacular performance, conceived especially for film, J.S. Bach’s Third Suite for Unaccompanied Cello as interpreted by Yo-Yo Ma and the 14-member Mark Morris Dance Group. Falling Down Stairs follows Mark and Yo-Yo from city to city, documenting their collaborations with remarkable intimacy, humour and candor.

We see the first meeting of Mark and Yo-Yo as they set down the rules of this most unusual creative experiment; we see Mark struggling to overcome a creative block as he builds new choreography before our very eyes; we see his dancers run through sections of the suite for Yo-Yo, who watches with wide-eyed amazement while accompanying them on cello; we see Mark conduct Yo-Yo during an actual compact disc recording of the suite; finally we witness the spectacular pay-off as Yo-Yo and the dancers perform the suite exclusively for and with the camera.

Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete
Produced by Niv Fichman
PURCHASE DVD
AWARDS
EMMY Award, Outstanding Classical Music/Dance Program, 1998
Gemini Awards, Best Performing Arts Program, Best Photography & Best Performance
Earthwatch Film Award
Silver WorldMedal, The New York Festivals
Silver Screen Award, US International Film & Video Festival
Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Distributed by Sony Music

DIDO AND AENEAS (1995)

This adaptation of Henry Purcell's DIDO & AENEAS, a Baroque operatic masterwork written in 1689, takes a fresh and controversial approach to the oldest English opera still being regularly performed today. Mark Morris, choreographer of the critically acclaimed production, boldly creates the roles of both Dido and the Sorceress in this opera, long famed for its emotional drama, dance sequences and powerful final aria.

It is the ill-fated love story of Dido, the noble Queen of Carthage, and the Trojan Prince Aeneas. While Dido's court celebrates the monarchs' imminent union, the evil Sorceress with her coven of witches plots their downfall. Romance leads to heartbreak and tragedy.

Vocalists include Jennifer Lane as the singing counterpart for Mr. Morris and Russell Braun as Aeneas. Tafelmusik Orchestra and Chamber Choir provide the music.

A Film by Barbara Willis Sweete
Conceived and Choreographed by Mark Morris
Produced by Rhombus Media Inc.
PURCHASE DVD
AWARDS
Golden Spire, San Francisco International Film Festival
Gold Apple, National Educational Media Competition
Rockie, Best Performing Arts Special, Banff Television Festival
Chris Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Gemini Award, Best Arts Documentary
Special Mention, Il Coreografo Electtronico, Italy
Silver Screen Award, US International Film & Video Festival
Golden Sheaf Nomination, Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival
FIPA, France
Distributed by Morningstar Entertainment