Breath Made Visible

Breath Made Visible is a 2009 documentary film that focuses on the life and work of America's pioneering dancer and choreographer, Anna Halprin. Directed by Ruedi Gerber, the film features conversations and interviews with Anna Halprin herself, her contemporary Lawrence Halprin, and other key figures in modern dance including Merce Cunningham. The film offers a detailed exploration of Halprin's transformative influence in the realms of dance and the expressive arts.

The narrative follows Anna's seven-decade-long career and her reputation as one of the most vital artists of the 20th century, who dared to transgress conventional boundaries. It delves into her trailblazing work, originating from the late 1950s, which has challenged traditional notions about dance by incorporating the everyday actions and narratives of life into performances. Drawing from her personal journey, Halprin’s work embodies a therapeutic and communal approach to dance that holds a mirror to the human condition.

The film spotlights how Halprin, who has devoted the better part of her life to making dance a viable medium for individual growth, healing, and social change, innovated new methods that helped revolutionize the way Americans think about dance, theater, music, and performance. One of the distinctive aspects of her work has been the use of the natural environment as the stage, with the dancers often directly interacting with earthly elements in organic surroundings.

Breath Made Visible uniquely intertwines Anna's philosophy about dance, her personal life story, and her most iconic performances. Through beautifully shot scenes from her performances, in-depth interviews, and archival footage, viewers are introduced to her unique vision and process. In all her dances, she imprints the belief that dance is not about uniformity or perfection but a channel to explore feelings and dreams, and connect deeply with our consciousness and the environment.

The interviews with Anna Halprin and others who have worked closely with her provide insight into her thoughts, inspirations, and contributions. Her husband, Lawrence Halprin, a renowned landscape architect and a collaborator in many of her projects, is also featured in the movie. They express their views about their respective disciplines and how they have influenced each other.

Merce Cunningham, one of the key figures in modern contemporary dance and a contemporary of Halprin, also appears in the film. His reflections on Halprin’s artistic philosophy further shape the narrative. Through these myriad perspectives, the viewers can understand Halprin’s impact on those in the field and the significance of her work.

The cinematic narrative meanders through Halprin's long-lasting career, boldly portraying her signature works right from the early pieces, such as the radical ‘Parades and Changes’ in the 1960s, which was one of the first performances to feature nudity, to the emotionally charged ‘Intensive Care: Reflections on Death and Dying’ and ‘Darkside Dance’. These dances bear a testament to her belief in the concept of "Dance as a Healing Art".

The film also doesn’t shy away from tinting the screen with personal aspects of Halprin's journey - battling cancer, losing a daughter to leukemia, and how these experiences contributed to evolving her art into a source of healing and an insightful reflection on life and mortality. It ventures into encapsulating the essence of Halprin's statement that "dance is the breath made visible."

Breath Made Visible is a tribute to Anna Halprin’s expansive career and spiritual journey, her profound impact, and her role as a precursor to the postmodern dance movement. It encapsulates the spirit and the dedication of a woman who refused to be boxed by traditional definitions and expectations. The film is as much about dance as it is about life, beautifully illustrating the intersections between the two. It allows a glimpse into the extraordinary mind and the boundless spirit of an artist who believed in dance as a powerful medium to engage, inspire, and heal.