Born To Fly

Born to Fly centers around the life and work of Elizabeth Streb, an iconic, Brooklyn-based choreographer known for her breakthrough style popularly dubbed as "pop-action". This movie was released in 2014 and was directed by Catherine Gund. Alongside Elizabeth Streb, the film also features other artists associated with the STREB Extreme Action Company, such as Sarah Callan and Jaclyn Carlson.

This succinct documentary offers a riveting examination of the Streb's passion for dance and movement, representing her boundary-pushing philosophy on artistic creation. Streb, often dubbed "the Evel Knievel of dance," is celebrated for her experimentations with the aesthetics and dynamics of movement, as well as her unusual integration of the elements of time, space, and the disobedience of all laws of physics into her choreography.

Through the establishment of STREB Extreme Action Company in Brooklyn, New York, she was able to challenge the notion of dance and athleticism in performances that led audiences to hold their breath out of anticipation and trepidation. Born to Fly provides us a closer look into Streb’s desire to break the conventional choreographic approaches to gravity, and to redefine dance as part of an adrenaline-saturated context.

Born to Fly starts with a compelling look at Streb's early life and her emerging interest in dance. The film explores her personal journey, from her working-class upbringing in Rochester, New York, to her cheer-leading days, and onward to her present status as a trailblazing artistic entrepreneur. The audience is treated to anecdotes, home videos, and archive footages revealing the evolution of Streb’s love for dance, movement and danger.

Presented with conviction and passion, Streb's artistry is palpable throughout the film, making the audience feel like participants rather than mere observers. We're taken on a ride through some of her most ambitious works in motion, from the late 70’s to her watershed London performances at the Cultural Olympiad in 2012. Characteristic of Streb, her performances include flying ice skaters, dancers exploring the choreograph of city skyscrapers or letting bowling balls swing perilously close to their heads. It is a feat executed with a combination of wild abandon and cool precision, always pushing the limits of safety and belief.

Throughout the film, interviews with Streb, her crew, and experts in the world of dance explore the process and philosophies behind her work. They provide insights into how Streb and her team challenge convention and confront the fear, inevitable injuries, and the thrill of creating something remarkably different. We also see tender moments when Elizabeth Streb and her partner Laura, share quiet, intimate moments amidst the chaos of their creative world.

Moreover, the film broadens its scope to include the thoughts and reflections of other influential figures in contemporary dance and performance, like Bill T. Jones, and David Gordon, amongst others. These interviews widen the context, allowing recognition of Streb’s work in a broader light, defining it as something that goes beyond dance, awake to socio-political potentials. These famous personalities share their admiration, criticisms, and reflections on Streb's work, presenting different perspectives that add a greater depth to the film.

Shot with a vibrant sense of creativity, Gund's documentary presents breathtaking visual sequences, often moving in synchronicity with the rhythm of the music and the dancers' impressive physical maneuvers. From the slow-motion captures of Streb’s troupe in mid-air to the quick edits showing their falls and tumbles, these scenes highlight the raw physicality, power, and risk inherent in Streb's work.

In conclusion, Born to Fly is more than just a tribute to Elizabeth Streb and her revolutionary dance style. It's a declaration of the power of dance as an art form, as well as a daring call to break free from conventions in favour of pursuing one's own unique artistic vision. The film captures, with exuberance and honesty, the heart-stopping sense of danger that defines STREB Extreme Action, as well as the dedication and resilience of the dancers who bring Streb's radical vision to life. Inspiring, exciting, and thought-provoking, Born to Fly invites audiences to look at dance - and life - from new heights.