Contemporary Art Museum Shorts 2 – Media-Dance Shorts Program

This documentary shorts program celebrates the visceral power of movement and dance as told through the medium of the camera. The films capture movements and motions that resonate with the work Painting by Numbers on view on CAM’s facade Street Views by St. Louis-born artist Charles Atlas, a pioneer in the development of “media-dance,” a genre in which original performance work is created directly for the camera.

Mr. Troy (2024), directed by Ken Gregory. 6 minutes.

“Mr. Troy” is a documentary that explores the remarkable journey of Troy D. Brown, a world-renowned ballet dancer whose exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to his art have transcended barriers of race and prejudice. This short documentary showcases Troy’s extraordinary performances, illustrating how his unique style and grace captivated audiences worldwide.

Ten Times Better (2024), directed by Jennifer Lin. 30 minutes.

George Lee is an 89-year-old blackjack dealer in the noisy heart of Las Vegas whose remarkable life as a dancer has been forgotten until now. It’s a uniquely American story about  a refugee from Shanghai who made history as a teenage sensation in George Balanchine’sl The Nutcracker, originating the Tea role for the New York City Ballet in its 1954 premiere. He battled hardship to become an Asian American pioneer on Broadway, appearing in the original cast of Flower Drum Song.

We Ride for Her (2024), directed by Prairie Rose Seminole and Katrina Sorrentino. 18 minutes.

Follows Lorna of Indigenous motorcycle group organizing ride raising MMIW awareness. Heather is a nurse searching for missing sister Susan with college senior son Khalid, who wants to become an Indigenous rights activist.

In this program

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