2651 Tango film
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:57:22 -0400
From: Antonio Cervila Junior <junior@CERVILA.COM>
Subject: Tango film
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want =
you can put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:58:00 -0700
From: Rick FromPortland <pruneshrub04@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
A young dance friend of mine & I, have got our mitts on a camcorder. We're scratching our heads, sorting out a script together. For Tango? Hmmm... Perhaps a "Fish out of Water" type thing? The last person on earth, you would ever imagine getting into Tango & ... Or perhaps an alien from another planet, stumbling into Tango?
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:25:04 -0700
From: Rick McGarrey <rickmcg@FLASH.NET>
Subject: Tango film
I think the best thing would be to film the great social dancers in Buenos
Aires. You would think that with all of the tango films around most of them
would have already been filmed, but in fact, they haven't- especially the ones
who dance in the suburbs. It's not always easy to find them or get permission
to film, but because they are the best in the world, it's worth the effort.
And because most are old, their valuable art will soon be lost forever.
This would be much more than a historical record, by the way. Because they
dance with more complexity and musicality than anything I've ever seen either
in classes or in performances, you need a film to study over and over to
understand what they are doing. Saving all of this, both for history, and as a
learning tool, would be a worthy project.
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 23:12:39 +0100
From: Daniel Iannarelli <dmi@OSTEOPATH.THERAPIST.ORG.UK>
Subject: Re: Tango film
What about a film called "NAKED TANGO LIST"...
A weird twilight world in which Tango-L subscribers all post to the List
while each coincidentally sits naked at the computer - each thinking how
funny it would be if only all the other List members knew...
Then...
...murder!
A naked List member is murdered by a jealous naked tanguero/a who takes
exception to him using his telekinetic ability to manoeuvre objects in
another naked tanguera's room from great distances away thereby
initiating exquisite eroticism through mutual psychic empathy.
Whodunnit...?!
Was it the naked gay milonguero who once threatened: "He's mine...MINE!
If I can't have him, no-one else will!"
- or -
Was it the naked dominatrix vamp tanguera, the voracious maneater of the
tango world: the seamed fishnets, the flashing flesh, the silk
brassiere, the 6" stilettos, the deadly smile, the bald head...? - who
once threatened: I'll GET him for tying *ME* up and shaving my head to
the tune of 'La Puņalada'...!
- or - even deadlier
The naked tango teacher: "Try and upstage me in MY class would he...?!
I'll get him for asking so many dumb questions!"
The murder weapon:
Scent/perfume.
Method of death:
Manic apilado milonga causing exhaustion and asphyxiation.
The twist:
It was all a dream.
There was no Naked Tango List.
Dani
-----Original Message-----
Sent: 16 August 2004 18:57
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [TANGO-L] Tango film
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can
do something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some
ideas but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want
you can put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a
synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be
through the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 00:46:37 +0000
From: Rick Jones <rwjones2001@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who -- to
me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs last
March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were spellbinding.
And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists.
Cheers,
Rick Jones
Washington DC
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do
something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas
but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you can
put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:54:03 -0700
From: Daniel Lapadula <clubstyletango@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Dany: What kind of new drog do you take? I am
wondering if is easy to normal people to be able to
find it!
The other Dani
--- Daniel Iannarelli <dmi@OSTEOPATH.THERAPIST.ORG.UK>
wrote:
> What about a film called "NAKED TANGO LIST"...
>
> A weird twilight world in which Tango-L subscribers
> all post to the List
> while each coincidentally sits naked at the computer
> - each thinking how
> funny it would be if only all the other List members
> knew...
>
> Then...
>
> ...murder!
>
> A naked List member is murdered by a jealous naked
> tanguero/a who takes
> exception to him using his telekinetic ability to
> manoeuvre objects in
> another naked tanguera's room from great distances
> away thereby
> initiating exquisite eroticism through mutual
> psychic empathy.
>
> Whodunnit...?!
>
> Was it the naked gay milonguero who once threatened:
> "He's mine...MINE!
> If I can't have him, no-one else will!"
>
> - or -
>
> Was it the naked dominatrix vamp tanguera, the
> voracious maneater of the
> tango world: the seamed fishnets, the flashing
> flesh, the silk
> brassiere, the 6" stilettos, the deadly smile, the
> bald head...? - who
> once threatened: I'll GET him for tying *ME* up and
> shaving my head to
> the tune of 'La Puqalada'...!
>
> - or - even deadlier
>
> The naked tango teacher: "Try and upstage me in MY
> class would he...?!
> I'll get him for asking so many dumb questions!"
>
> The murder weapon:
> Scent/perfume.
>
> Method of death:
> Manic apilado milonga causing exhaustion and
> asphyxiation.
>
> The twist:
> It was all a dream.
>
> There was no Naked Tango List.
>
> Dani
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine
> Tango
> [mailto:TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Antonio
> Cervila Junior
> Sent: 16 August 2004 18:57
> To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [TANGO-L] Tango film
>
> Ok list, here is the deal:
> I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think
> that the list can
> do something better that insult each other.
> I will film something to do with tango for the first
> time. I have some
> ideas but I'd like to write something between
> everybody. So if you want
> you can put a brick on the wall and watch it someday
> in a screen.
> Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just
> an idea, a
> synopsis.
> If you prefer send it to me in private, good.
> Otherwise could be
> through the list so others can give their opinion.
> Let's use the list to make something constructive.
> Best regards
>
> Antonio Cervila Junior
> cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
> www.cervila.com<
>
>
> should be sent to
> send the
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
>
>
> should be sent to
> send the
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
>
=====
Daniel Lapadula
ClubStyleTango@yahoo.com
54114-773-9383
Buenos Aires-Argentina
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:58:27 -0700
From: Carlos Rojas <Crojas@HACIENDACDC.ORG>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Rick Jones wrote:
"I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists."
Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:47 PM
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who -- to
me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs last
March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were spellbinding.
And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists.
Cheers,
Rick Jones
Washington DC
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do
something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas
but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you can
put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 01:29:49 +0000
From: Rick Jones <rwjones2001@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Carlos Rojas wrote: "...we should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians..."
We're going back to BsAs soon, and I'm taking Pichi a top-line tape recorder
to start the oral history. Maybe she can track down some of those
musicians, too.
Rick
Rick Jones wrote:
"I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists."
Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:47 PM
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who -- to
me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs last
March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were spellbinding.
And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists.
Cheers,
Rick Jones
Washington DC
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do
something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas
but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you can
put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:40:32 EDT
From: Mallpasso@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Tango film
How about a video history? Or are these milongueros paranoid others will
steal their steps?
el bandito de tango
In a message dated 8/16/2004 18:33:20 Pacific Standard Time,
rwjones2001@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
Carlos Rojas wrote: "...we should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians..."
We're going back to BsAs soon, and I'm taking Pichi a top-line tape recorder
to start the oral history. Maybe she can track down some of those
musicians, too.
Rick
Rick Jones wrote:
"I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists."
Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:47 PM
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who -- to
me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs last
March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were spellbinding.
And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists.
Cheers,
Rick Jones
Washington DC
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do
something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas
but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you can
put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com<mailto:cervila@hotmail.com>
www.cervila.com<
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 19:52:21 -0700
From: sarah La Rocca <danzisima@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
WOW! I smell the perfect project for a big grant application. Working in the not profit world, I believe the funding for such a project must exist.
Carlos Rojas <Crojas@HACIENDACDC.ORG> wrote:Rick Jones wrote:
"I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists."
Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros that are still
alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:47 PM
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who -- to
me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs last
March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were spellbinding.
And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to capture
some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
opportunity still exists.
Cheers,
Rick Jones
Washington DC
Ok list, here is the deal:
I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can do
something better that insult each other.
I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some ideas
but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you can
put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a synopsis.
If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
the list so others can give their opinion.
Let's use the list to make something constructive.
Best regards
Antonio Cervila Junior
cervila@hotmail.com
www.cervila.com
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 00:47:16 -0500
From: "Lois Donnay (E-mail)" <donnay@DONNAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Where is Barbara Durr on her project? We saw the preliminary documentary
that she was working on in Denver a few years back. I know that she was
hoping to have it picked up by PBS.
It was great. Lots of milongueros and milongueras on film, (including Susana
Miller) dancing and talking. The best I remember is one gentleman saying
that he had been dancing tango for 50 years, almost every day, and he
thought that maybe he was starting to understand it.
Lois Donnay
Minneapolis, MN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carlos Rojas [mailto:Crojas@HACIENDACDC.ORG]
> Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 7:58 PM
> To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
>
>
> Rick Jones wrote:
> "I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these
> guys to capture some of the voices of that era before it's
> too late. If you're really looking for a film subject in
> tango, I can't think of anything more deserving that to
> capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
> opportunity still exists."
>
> Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros
> that are still alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
>
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:57:26 -0700
From: Jean-Marie Herve Michel <jhmichel@STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Tango film
That would be a very good project to be involved in.
herve
Quoting sarah La Rocca <danzisima@YAHOO.COM>:
> WOW! I smell the perfect project for a big grant application. Working in
> the not profit world, I believe the funding for such a project must
> exist.
>
> Carlos Rojas <Crojas@HACIENDACDC.ORG> wrote:Rick Jones wrote:
> "I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to
> capture
> some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
> looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
> deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
> opportunity still exists."
>
> Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros that are
> still
> alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
>
>
> Carlos Rojas
> Portland, OR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango
> [mailto:TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Rick Jones
> Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:47 PM
> To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
>
> Pichi de Buenos Aires has befriended a number of older milongueros who --
> to
> me -- really personify an era gone by. When my wife and I were in BsAs
> last
> March, we went out a few times with her and one of them, Roberto Angel
> Pujol. It was very interesting -- fascinating, actually -- to listen to
> Robeto open up as our time went on and he got to know us better. His
> stories of the milongas and milongueros from the 1950s were
> spellbinding.
> And of course, taking lessons from him was tops.
>
> I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these guys to
> capture
> some of the voices of that era before it's too late. If you're really
> looking for a film subject in tango, I can't think of anything more
> deserving that to capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
> opportunity still exists.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rick Jones
> Washington DC
>
>
>
> Ok list, here is the deal:
> I am a filmmaker besides a tango dancer. And I think that the list can
> do
> something better that insult each other.
> I will film something to do with tango for the first time. I have some
> ideas
> but I'd like to write something between everybody. So if you want you
> can
> put a brick on the wall and watch it someday in a screen.
> Could be a feature film or many short films. Or just an idea, a
> synopsis.
> If you prefer send it to me in private, good. Otherwise could be through
> the list so others can give their opinion.
> Let's use the list to make something constructive.
> Best regards
>
> Antonio Cervila Junior
> cervila@hotmail.com
> www.cervila.com
>
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
>
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 11:08:19 -0700
From: Jean-Marie Herve Michel <jhmichel@STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Mastery is something thta is worked on life long.
herve
Quoting "Lois Donnay (E-mail)" <donnay@DONNAY.NET>:
> Where is Barbara Durr on her project? We saw the preliminary documentary
> that she was working on in Denver a few years back. I know that she was
> hoping to have it picked up by PBS.
>
> It was great. Lots of milongueros and milongueras on film, (including
> Susana
> Miller) dancing and talking. The best I remember is one gentleman saying
> that he had been dancing tango for 50 years, almost every day, and he
> thought that maybe he was starting to understand it.
>
> Lois Donnay
> Minneapolis, MN
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Carlos Rojas [mailto:Crojas@HACIENDACDC.ORG]
> > Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 7:58 PM
> > To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango film
> >
> >
> > Rick Jones wrote:
> > "I told Pichi that she should do an oral history with these
> > guys to capture some of the voices of that era before it's
> > too late. If you're really looking for a film subject in
> > tango, I can't think of anything more deserving that to
> > capture some of these guys on file, too, while the
> > opportunity still exists."
> >
> > Rick, what a great idea!. We should add all the milongueros
> > that are still alive and also the musicians from the old orquestras.
> >
>
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 01:03:08 -0500
From: Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: tango film
Hello to all,
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing some excerpts from Barbara Durr's
work recently at the "Meet in the Middle" festival in Missouri (many
thanks to Karen!!!), and would like to say that she has done a fantastic
job of cataloguing the essence of tango, showcasing those in Buenos
Aires who know what they do, and what they talk about. Yes, it would be
nice for her to include many more (and she probably has already!),
smaller names, and more personal feelings from some less well-known than
Susana Miller, and Cacho Dante....but once again, I'd like to say that
she probably has lots of footage to that effect. What we saw two weeks
ago was very, very impressive, and I really enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, the kind of work that Barbara has planned is very
expensive, and she needs some help. If we all want a good "tango film",
we don't need to do anything but help Barbara Durr finish her work...I
really believe this.
I'll post an address tomorrow on Tango-L, and send my check for $100.00
to Barbara on Thursday. Barbara has asked us all to keep our eye out for
rich tango benefactors, etc, but just think; what if we all sent her
$20, or $50, or $100?
Just one word of warning!!! She's promised to debut in Houston! I
promise a great milonga weekend though, when it happens!!!!
Barbara; many thanks for your hard work and dedication. We all
appreciate you!
Regards,
Michael
PS yes, Pichi should help out....she's close to many of the old
milongueros, she loves tango, and she's there in Buenos Aires. I had a
great time there, and she helped me out last January. It would be cool
for her to work with Barbara on this.
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:01:45 -0600
From: Brian Dunn <brian@DANCEOFTHEHEART.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango film
Dear list,
Re: Tango film projects, current and future...
In addition to Barbara Durr's project (wish we could have stayed to see the
previews in Missouri!), I am aware of two other tango film projects
currently underway. Tomas Howlin and Silvana Grill of Buenos Aires are
spearheading two projects currently being funded through cooperation between
the governments of Quebec (where Tomas currently lives and teaches), the
Argentine Minister of Culture, and other Argentine organizations interested
in the preservation of "the living tango."
The primary film project, entitled "Tango: The Impossible Dance - The Living
Masters of Tango-Salon" will be directed by Tomas, with Buenos Aires-based
participation by Silvana Grill, and additional assistance from Chantal
Dauphinais of Montreal and Wayne Williams of Portland, OR. The film will be
shot in Buenos Aires in early 2005.
In Tomas' view, there have been very few successful attempts to effectively
document the roots of this dance as embodied in the styles of the old
masters. Little is known about the nuances of the different styles and
"maneras" that developed in the hothouse social dance environment of
mid-century Buenos Aires. To quote Tomas:
"Argentine Tango is a hierarchical, hands-on, initiatic process, relying on
the "Elders" of the community to transmit the essence of the dance to the
generation below. My intention is to document audio-visually a select core
of 12 Tango-Salon Milonguero(a)s from the three neighbourhoods where the
principal styles originated."
I understand that Tomas and Barbara Durr have already been in contact about
their projects, and are in informal accord in order to avoid needless
duplication of effort.
A second and larger project, co-directed by Tomas and Silvana Grill,
involves producing documentation for Argentine national TV about the a
project currently underway: the formation of a new tango school in Buenos
Aires and the classes taught there.
Again, to quote Tomas:
"This project has as principal objective, the preservation and
"transmission" of the knowledge and experiences still existing in our
popular dance, the tango. The "Ballet Escuela de Tango Argentino" is a
program with a total duration of 6 intensive training months. A national
audition carefully selects 20 couples to participate. They receive
- personal instruction from the old masters and living legends of argentine
tango,
- weekly direction classes from our legends of performance tango (Miguel
Zotto, Gavito, Eduardo Arquimbau to name a few)
- Daily workshops in tango salon, choreographic improvisation, and tango
music.
Through the understanding of the original styles and nuances, the students
are invited to receive the knowledge that will create a stable platform for
the preservation of Argentine Tango in its most authentic form."
This second effort includes the "invaluable assistance" of Ramiro Gigliotti
and Patricia Lamberti, and received additional support and assistance from
Asociacion Tango Via and the Direccion Nacional de Artes.
Further questions can be directed to Tomas Howlin at tomas.howlin@mac.com.
Tomas is scheduled to be in Salt Lake City September 10-17 and in
Boulder/Denver September 29-October 6 to teach workshops. We're looking
forward to getting more information about his projects then, which we'll
share through our website.
All the best,
Brian Dunn
Dance of the Heart
Boulder, Colorado USA
www.danceoftheheart.com
