Carolyn Carslon, A Woman of Many Faces

A documentary signed by Charles Picq on Carolyn Carlson, “a multifaceted woman”. She dives head first into her history, evokes her master Alwin Nikolais, her work at the Opera in Paris with GRTOP, her many goings and comings to Venice…

Charles Picq imagined his film like a serenade, short and sharp. Carolyn Carlson, “a multifaceted woman”, dives head first into her history, evokes her master Alwin Nikolais, her nomination at the Opera in Paris as resident choreographer in the 1980s and the creation of the choreographic research group at the Opera that she calls her “laboratory of creation”.

We follow her to Venice, where Blue Lady was premiered before touring the world. Then, back to the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, where her world became considerably more theatrical, nourished with spirituality. Those who were her accomplices and her close circle confirm the evolution of her career path: the dancers Marie-Claude Pietragalla and Lario Ekson and the composer René Aubry who shared her life for fifteen years. The composer Michel Portal, privileged accomplice of the creation of the Carlsonian gesture, recalls the improvisation and a certain wantonness. “I was part of the hippie subculture, but offering flowers is not enough. They need to be ripped to shreds and offered in another way”, said Carlson.

Source : Fabienne Arvers –  CNC Images de la culture