Perreault Dancer
A celebration of the works of Jean-Pierre Perreault (1947-2002), one of the foremost figures of Canadian contemporary dance.
A multi-disciplinary artist, Perreault designed the sets, choreography, lights, sounds and even costumes of his works. He believed that these elements were intrinsically connected, born of the same creative act. Letting the works speak for themselves, this film reflects his multifaceted genius, superimposing his drawings and paintings onto choreographic excerpts from such works as PETITES SOCIÉTÉS, EIRONOS, ORÉNOQUE and JOE, his flagship work.
The portrait is enhanced by written observations from Perreault himself, which evoke his creative approach, his humanity, his engaging personality - a strange brew of introspection, intelligence and flamboyance - as well as moving recollections from dancers who knew him in his life and work. Struck down before his time, Jean-Pierre Perreault has left us a rich legacy of works stamped with his unique style: a dance anchored in a specific space from which tender and gentle beings emerge, torn apart by life, who create their own music through the complex rythms of their steps.
Tim Southam (Director)
Tim Southam’s films include the dramas The Bay of Love and Sorrows, The Tale of Teeka, One Dead Indian, Trudeau: Pierre-Elliott; the documentaries Drowning in Dreams and A Spy’s Life: Kitty Harris; as well as the dance films Satie and Suzanne, Inner Voices and Perreault Dancer.
His work has won Gemini and Gémeaux awards, prizes at many international festivals, and nominations for the Genie, Grammy, DGC and FIPA awards.
