Sydney an der Wupper

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Subject:

Arts, Social Sciences

Institution Name:

WGBH

Collection:

WGBH Open Vault

Abstract:

'Sydney an der Wupper' is a film featuring the Australian dancer Meryl Tankard. Tankard goes through a day in the city, riding the subway, taking a singing lesson, and bathing at a public house. As the work progresses, it becomes harder and harder to distinguish between fantasy and reality. Tankard's character imagines herself dancing with a man across train platforms and through streets. In one scene the two of them are dancing on a hockey rink, sliding across the icy surface. Tankard climbs ladders and catwalks at dizzying heights above the train platforms. Finally, she arrives at an abandoned booth-shaped bar. At this point she is dressed in a reddish evening gown with jewels. She pours herself a drink and smokes in the bar, and we see her vamping it up. Dialogue from 'A Place in the Sun' plays and adds to the melodrama, as Tankard continues to vamp it up. She struts about the booth and on a platform outside. As the work draws to a close, we find her singing and dancing in the booth bar, shimmying and belting out a tune in English. The film has a bluish hue to it, and the red of Tankard's wardrobe stands out prominently. The work is almost 50 minutes long. Musical direction was by Christina Bollman. A Puccini aria plays at different intervals throughout the work. Directed by Bettina Woernle.

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Primary Source

Media Format:

Text/HTML, Video

Conditions of Use:

Custom License
Free to view for educational use only. Copyright restrictions apply for all other uses.

Copyright Holder:

Eine X-Film Produktion, Bettina Woernle