The Space in Back of You

The Space in Back of You covers a period of 20 years in the life and art of Suzushi Hanayagi, following her from Japan to New York and back to Japan again. A dynamic, innovative, and radical Japanese dancer and choreographer, she never ceased to experiment and to stretch the limits of the art of dance and herself as a dancer well into her 70s. From the discipline of traditional Japanese dance to her decades-long devotion to modern dance, this bold and indomitable woman uniquely bridged the East and West, choreographing works that expanded what classical or modern dance is or could be. Her life and influence is closely examined by the legendary theater impresario Robert Wilson, who collaborated with her for 20 years and then found her in a retirement home, suffering from Alzheimer’s. Accompanied by a film crew, Wilson visits Ms. Hanayagi, while he and his dance troupe work on an homage to her that will premiere at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. The film is one last collaboration between a great teacher and her most famous student.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.
Script: Richard Rutkowski with the collaboration of Robert Wilson
Cinematography: Laela Kilbourn, Richard Rutkowski
Editing: Keiko Deguchi, Brendan Russel
Sound: Noah Timan, Jose Araujo, Irin Strauss
Music: David Byrne
Production: Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation, Media Space, See-No-Evil Filmworks (USA) www.thespaceinbackofyou.com
Producers: Hisami Kuroiwa, Richard Rutkowski
Format: HDCAM Color
Production Country: USA
Production Year: 2011
Duration: 65
Contact: Media Space, USA Hisami Kuroiwa Τ. +1 212 475 4488 hkuroiwa1900@gmail.com

Richard Rutkowski

Filmography

2011 The Space in Back of You