Amelia: Amazing Ballet by La La La Human Steps

Amelia is a 2002 dance film by Edouard Lock - the dance routine is astoudingly fast. It is simply a technical tour de force.

The dancers are from Montreal dance company La La La Human Steps, the music is composed of Lou Reed lyrics with music by David Lang (a major contributor to the score for Requiem for a Dream) and the wooden stage was created just for this piece.

The award-winning movie is available from Opus Arte. Hit play or go to Link [YouTube] - Thanks Jhayne!

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February 8, 2008 at 1:54 pm by Alex
Category: Movies & SciFi, Sports, Video Clips

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22 comments to "Amelia: Amazing Ballet by La La La Human Steps"

barbara
February 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
oh my god! thank you so much lol, i seen this on channel four and i forgot the name, and even what year it was i seen it, ive been searching for it ever since, u r my saviour! ^^
Thespian24601
February 8th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
That was outstanding. Simply amazing.
Gawdess
February 8th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
It was astonishing, thank you for the link.
Christophe
February 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Photoshopped!

Just kidding : this is an amazing performance.
Nate Deviate
February 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I wish I could dance… Its the whole rhythm thing… I am impressed by the speed and intention in this…
Myleti
February 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This was so beautiful.

Does anybody know what the song was, it was lovely.
cz
February 8th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
i’m just…waiting for my man
26 dollars in my hand…
up to lexington, 125
feeling sick and dirty
more dead than al-i-i-ve.
tinyflowers
February 8th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I saw this on CBC years ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I’m sooo happy you found it.
OS Perry
February 8th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Very impressive… one of my favorite Neatorama pieces.
I’ve been coming here a couple years, and this is one, would make my top 10.

Now if ballet was like this, there’d be no having to talk me into going to watch it with my wife.
gcrumb
February 8th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I honestly don’t mean to be condescending, but: You didn’t know about La La La Human Steps?!

Edouard Lock has been creating these amazing dance pieces since the 1980s. This one is actually quite sedate, compared to some.

Seeing Louise Lecavalier (Lock’s longtime collaborator and prima donna) dancing at Canada’s National Arts Centre was an experience of a lifetime for me.
Pyracantha
February 9th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Imagine them as ice dancers on skates! They would be fantastic
ted
February 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
There was at least one part with the hair thing that was edited, and a few other suspicious spots. Was the film sped up at points, or was that the true speed of all their movements?

Not a big dance fan - never heard of lalala human steps - I guess I’m out of the loop.

The whole thing seemed cold and mechanical to me. Honestly, the three dudes on the treadmill video was more interesting.
Jhayne
February 9th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I’m so glad you chose to post my suggestion. La La La Human Steps are so artistically astounding they make me proud to be Canadian.

The troupe has collaborated with some really interesting people, too, like David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Skinny Puppy, and Einstürzende Neubauten.
Pol x
February 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
that waqs beautiful.

I have never responded to contemporary dance in any way at all, but i have tears in my eyes after watching that.

At the end she was dancing with eye movements
Pol x
February 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
that was beautiful.

I have never responded to contemporary dance in any way at all, but i have tears in my eyes after watching that.

At the end she was dancing with eye movements
eleavitt
February 9th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Here are some other videos by Mr Lock that happen to be floating around youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zup_rVSs_QU&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRJd5UeEwI4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q876pJ0tWE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ls8nIfuTQ&feature=related
Daniel Kim
February 9th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
The performance was haunting. The interaction between the two dancers was very detached. I wonder how it would work with a dark background, and the man in black mask and outfit, making him essentially invisible.

They have a few brief moments of contact, but mostly his facial expression is neutral but benevolent.
raincoaster
February 10th, 2008 at 2:30 am
I’ve seen Amelia live, and it IS this fast. If I recall correctly, it’s essentially about the nature of love, and the increasingly blurred divide between the human and the artificial and how that affects our ability to love and be loved. I still have the programme around somewhere, I’ll see if I can find it. If I can, I’ll put up a blog post and link back here.
Theater Arts
February 11th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Hey Nice Video. Thanx A Lot……….
G
February 11th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I love the song playing! Forgive me if this has been mentioned (and a little off topic) but is there any validity to this video of the deaf dancers?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6N1j-MwDxRs

It’s amazing as well but watching these, I wondering how much of it is real or exaggerated? But beautiful, don’t get me wrong!
heather
February 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Wow! You weren’t kidding, those moves were so amazingly fast and accurate. The female dancer must have unbelievable physical prowess to be able to dance that so well. Thanks for sharing this video!
Kathleen
February 14th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Loved it! Thank you for the post.