Legong Dancers [1928, Bali]
Film Identifier: F.2011-05-0074
Run Time
0h 4m 25s
0h 4m 25s
Format
16mm
16mm
Color
B&W
B&W
Sound
Silent
Silent
Date Produced
1928
1928
Abstract
Legong is a form of Balinese dance, usually telling a story, performed by prepubescent girls. This film follows a group of Legong dancers as they get ready and then perform their dances.
Legong is a form of Balinese dance, usually telling a story, performed by prepubescent girls. This film follows a group of Legong dancers as they get ready and then perform their dances.
Description
The film begins with a MCU shot of two legong dancers, one smoking a cigarette and the other applying makeup. It then cuts to another dancer's hair being prepared, another combing hers, and then to another being wrapped in the base layer of her costume. She smiles at the camera. The film continues cutting fairly frequently: after some dancers receive their headdresses, the film cuts to a performance by two dancers. It continues cutting to show segments of performances, one and two dancers at a time. Many carry fans and all perform intricate hand and wrist movements, as well as careful footwork. One young dancer sits on the ground and appears to imitate I Mario's famous kebyar duduk dance.
Near the middle of the film, one of the young dancers is assisted in donning a large hairy mask, apparently representing a character in a story. She is covered with a sheet. Then, a fellow dancer begins a solo while holding a stick, and halfway through uncovers the masked dancer. The two continue the story together.
The film then cuts to a shot of a group of legong dancers crossing a street, perhaps preparing for a group performance. The film ends there.
The film begins with a MCU shot of two legong dancers, one smoking a cigarette and the other applying makeup. It then cuts to another dancer's hair being prepared, another combing hers, and then to another being wrapped in the base layer of her costume. She smiles at the camera. The film continues cutting fairly frequently: after some dancers receive their headdresses, the film cuts to a performance by two dancers. It continues cutting to show segments of performances, one and two dancers at a time. Many carry fans and all perform intricate hand and wrist movements, as well as careful footwork. One young dancer sits on the ground and appears to imitate I Mario's famous kebyar duduk dance.
Near the middle of the film, one of the young dancers is assisted in donning a large hairy mask, apparently representing a character in a story. She is covered with a sheet. Then, a fellow dancer begins a solo while holding a stick, and halfway through uncovers the masked dancer. The two continue the story together.
The film then cuts to a shot of a group of legong dancers crossing a street, perhaps preparing for a group performance. The film ends there.
Related Place
Bali (production location of)