Sans Souciโข Festival of Dance Cinema Returns to Boulder with 22nd Annual Event
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Boulder, Colorado – The 22nd annual Sans Souci Festival of Dance โฃCinemaโ will illuminate โthe Museum of Boulder from August 29 to 31, presenting a unique convergence of danceโ and film. The festival, the only one of its kind locally, features looping installations, a live performance, andโค an open-air screening of films originating from 10 nations.
Aโฃ Festival Dedicated to Screendance
The festival’s core focus is “screendance,” โขa genre where choreography and cinematography are inextricably linked, with editing itself becoming a crucial element of the movement [[1]]. Attendees can expect an immersiveโข experience beginning at 6:30 p.m.each evening with a red-carpet welcome and access to museum galleries displaying short โfilm installations. food โand beverages will be available for โpurchase.
The rooftop screenings, scheduled to begin at 7:30โ p.m.โ weather permitting, will showcase 13 short films totalingโ 95 minutes, including a โค15-minute intermission.
Themesโข of Family and Environment
This year’s submissions revealed prominent themes of family dynamics and environmental concerns. Michelle Bernier, executiveโ and co-director โคof the Sans Souci Festival, noted the recurring presence of these topics in the selected โคfilms.
“We have a few films that really speak to family, whether it is the โคtrials and tribulations of family life,” Bernier explained. “One film, ‘Spoken Movement, Family Honor,’ is an incredible pieceโฆlikeโข an abstracted familyโค dinner table.”
Bernier also highlighted the growing emphasis on environmental themes, exemplified by the installation “Drain,” depicting a bathtub in a drought-stricken California landscape. Another film, “Terra Montes,” poignantly portrays the aftermath of the 2012 Lower North Fork Fire in Colorado, with dancer Kim โคOlson, a survivor of the evacuation, performing amidst the burn scars.
Did You Know?
The term “screendance” evolvedโฃ from “dance for camera” as the art โform matured,โฃ reflecting itsโข increasing sophistication and distinct identity.
Live Performance and Artistic Innovation
For the first time since 2020, the festival will include a live performance, titled “Into Out of body,” staged in the Museum of Boulder’s โgarage. Choreographer Jeanine McCain, โฃprojection designer Brian โขHapcic, andโฃ live musician Jesse Manno will collaborateโ on an experimental pieceโ exploring perception and illusion through real-time projection.
“They are playing with the effect where if you โpoint a camera at a projector, you can see the projection of the projection of the projection, like mirrors to infinity,” Bernier said.”That โคis the idea they are โฃworking with.”
the โคfestival will open with “Cut me Summa dat Noise,” a vibrantโฃ tap dance performance set in a neighborhood block party,and conclude with “Juno and Sensei,” an action-packed film featuring a dance battle with comic book-style visualโข effects.
Pro Tip:
Bring layers! Boulder evenings โcan be unpredictable,and the rooftop screening is weather-dependent.
A Thriving Arts Community
Bernier attributes the festival’s longevity to Boulder’s supportive arts community and its citizens’ openness to international and experimental work.She emphasizedโ the invaluable support receivedโฃ from theโข City โof Boulder’s arts commission.
“Boulder is, first of all, a wonderful place to be an arts organization, and the support that we’ve receivedโฆisโข just really, like, that’s not replicable anywhere else,” bernier stated.
| Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema | August 29-31, 2025 | Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway |
| Liveโฃ Performance: “Into Outโข of Body” | August 29-31, 6:50 PM nightly | Museumโฃ of Boulder Garage |
| Rooftop film Screenings | August 29-31, โ7:30 PM nightly (weather โคpermitting) | Museumโ of Boulder Rooftop |
While the festival offers virtual screenings in the fall, Bernier believes โขthe communal experience of viewing dance cinema in โขperson is irreplaceable. “Being โin a room with people, sharing that experience, reacting in real time, getting goosebumps togetherโฆthat just doesn’t happen online.”
What aspects of dance cinema most captivate you, and how do you โthink the art form evolves with technological advancements?
Do you believe that the combination of dance and film creates a unique artistic experience that transcends โฃtraditionalโค boundaries?
Tickets and further details about the Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema are available at โข sanssoucifestival.org.
The intersection of dance and film has a rich history, dating back to โearly experiments in capturing movementโ on celluloid. The advancement of screendance as a distinct genre reflects a growing recognition of the unique possibilities offered by the medium, allowing choreographers to explore new forms of storytelling โคand visual expression. The festival’s continued success โฃunderscores the enduring appeal of this art form and its ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sans Souciโฃ Festival
- What is screendance? Screendance is aโ genre of film where dance is the central expressive language, distinct from dance featured in documentaries or music videos.
- Where isโ the Sans Souci Festival located? The festival takes place at the Museum of Boulder, located at 2205 Broadwayโข in Boulder, colorado.
- What typesโ of films โคwill be โscreened? โค The festival showcases aโ diverse range of short films โfrom 10 countries, exploring themes of family, environment, and abstract concepts.
- Is the festivalโฃ accessibleโฃ to those unfamiliar with dance film? Yes, the festival welcomes audiences of all backgrounds and levels of experience.
- Are there virtual screening options available? Yes, Sans Souci โขoffers free virtual screenings in the fall, but the in-person experience is highlyโข recommended.
We hopeโ you’ll join us for this captivating celebration of dance and cinema! Share this article with your friends, leaveโ a comment โbelow with your thoughts, or subscribe to our newsletter for more exciting cultural events.