Paul Taylor Creative Domain (2015)

Synopsis

Among the most acclaimed choreographers in American history, Paul Taylor has been reinventing the roles of music, movement and theme in dance for nearly 60 years. In that time he has offered only glimpses into his creative process. Creative Domain is a rare in-depth documentation of how he creates a single dance. In 1998 director Matthew Diamond released Academy Award-nominated Dancemaker about the story of the then 69-year-old choreographer, his life, his company, and his dances. Creative Domain is the next chapter in the creative life of Mr. Taylor. We begin with Paul dancing in his youth, describing the nature of dance, ‘you learn to live day to day, hour to hour.’ We cut to Paul present day, now in his 80’s, still living his life in the moment, with his mind intently focused on his next dance. His new work is a Rashomon-inspired exploration of memory, three characters entangled in a tragic relationship, and each believing only in their own dark memory of it. Through the lens of award-winning cinematographer Tom Hurwitz, we see Paul’s non-verbal communication with his dancers. Below the surface of this dance and the many works that came before, is Paul’s power of acute observation, revealing a side to his choreography that is strangely prophetic. The dominant voice is Paul’s, between the guarded and unguarded moments we see him with new eyes and new understanding.

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