Pina 3D

Wim Wenders employs 3D technology with thrilling results to capture the kinetic movement and brilliance of German dance choreographer Pina Bausch.

When a film project between Wim Wenders and German modern dance pioneer Pina Bausch is tragically upended after her passing, Wenders decides to press on with the project. Collaborating with Bausch’s dance troupe, he brings some of her most celebrated works to vivid life. Inventively employing 3D, this stunning experience takes her work off the stage and into the streets. An adventurous feat of filmmaking that also celebrates the work of a bold creative visionary.

Curator’s note
Wenders had been wanting to make a dance film about the work of Pina Bausch for over 20 years, with the obstacle being how to replicate on film the visceral experience of seeing dance live on stage. Inspiration came when he was observing a U2 concert being filmed with the latest 3D cameras. By using 3D, Wenders found an ingenious way to bridge the gap between performer, screen and audience. Another masterstroke was to take the dancers out of the theatre and recreate many of her dance pieces around the city of Wuppertal, the town that was home to Bausch’s dance company. Pina often brought the outside into the theatre – cascading rain, boulders that dancers would move around or leap over. Paying homage to that idea brings these two artists into a harmonious dialogue and offers us a thrilling glimpse of the possibilities of cinema.