Feature Documentary Editor

This engaging one-hour film goes behind the scenes with composer Shinji Eshima and San Francisco Ballet resident choreographer Yuri Possokhov as they recount their collaboration with the original cast of RAkU. It brings together a confluence of eastern and western cultures in music and dance. The contributions of Butoh, martial arts, chanting Zen monks, the rigors of rehearsal with Yuri Possokhov and the enduring friendships of the artists are all featured in the documentary preceding the stunning performance which was recorded in a film studio.

The performance is shot cinematically in the style of a dramatic film, providing an intimate relationship with the dancers. From the film’s opening narrative scenes, it establishes an intimate style and carries through the ballet performance. This gives viewers an immediate and powerful sense of being close to the dancers, rarely shared in dance films.