Place

Although the contributions of choreographer Mats Ek and video director Jonas Akerlund are prominently mentioned on the DVD jacket, the selling point of this half-hour modern dance piece is undoubtedly Mikhail Baryshnikov—for whom it was created. In his early 60s when it was filmed in 2009 at the Swedish Royal Dramatic Theatre, Baryshnikov is paired with Ana Laguna (Ek's wife), portraying a man and a woman—perhaps two bruised, lonely people meeting for the first time, perhaps a couple going through a rough patch—who enact a series of passionate routines, both separately and together, on a small stage, using a table and a rug as their only props. The result is a remarkable achievement for the principals, who negotiate—with incredible energy and practiced skill—moves that would tax the strength of dancers half their age. Whether Ek's concept is worthy of such magisterial talent is debatable, and Akerlund's fussy camerawork sometimes calls more attention to itself than the central figures. But there can be no doubt that the piece, set to busy but vacuous music by Fleshquartet, serves as an impressive showcase for Baryshnikov. Black-and-white footage—ostensibly from security cameras—bookends the performance, first capturing the audience entering as Baryshnikov and Laguna prepare to take the stage, and later witnessing the crew dismantling the set following curtain calls. Presented in Dolby Digital stereo, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)