Pas de deux (film)

• Margaret Mercier: dancer
• Vincent Warren: Dancer

Pas de deux is a Canadian, experimental short dance film by Norman McLaren of 1968.

Action

In the film, a ballerina dancing first on its own. Later, a dancer appears and both dance together. The film contains no dialogue.

Production

The scenes were filmed in front of a black and background, the white-clad dancers were backlit. So both people appear at times just as bright outlines. Using an optical printer generated McLaren sometimes up to eleven copies of individual frames. Since the dance scenes are played back in slow motion, resulting as multiplications and temporarily overlays of individual movements, where the movement seems suspended to unfold. The resulting effects can be the scene in the course of the film seem more abstract. The images are accompanied by Romanian pan flute music.

Pas de deux was shown, among others, in October 1968 at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Awards

On the Phnom Penh International Film Festival Pas de deux won the award for Best Short Film, and was nominated at the Chicago International Film Festival for a Silver Hugo in the same category. On the Canadian Film Awards 1968 Norman McLaren won a special prize for the pas de deux.

Pas de deux in 1969 received a BAFTA for Best Animated Feature and won at the Melbourne International Film Festival Grand Prix. The film was also nominated for Best Short Film in 1969 for an Oscar in the category.