WORK OF ART. THE DARK FOREST

A documentary about the creation of The Dark Forest, a dance work by Michael Parmenter. Parmenter talks about his personal life and the effects of HIV/AIDS, dancing, and the creative process of choreographing the work ‘The Dark Forest. The dance is shown in various stages of rehearsal and production.

“The Dark Forest, created after the Los Angeles riots and the scapegoat beating of a truck driver, examines the psychological implications of the daughter being the scapegoat in Kafka’s own repressed family.”

Parmenter considers The Dark Forest to be among his best works because the music by Anthony Wilson and the movement work together perfectly to "express this Kafka-esque world I have created".

Parmenter also values the work because it differs greatly from his other choreography.

"There is a tensile quality in the music that brings out an angular contrapuntal rhythm in the movement. Some of my choreography just rolls on ad infinitum. Lyricism is my gift. The Dark Forest brought out something very different."
‘The New Zealand Herald’ 08.03.05