Highlights from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia’s perfomance of the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the Ramkear, which was performed at La Maison de la Dance in Lyons, France.
This is the most artistic film recording of the Ballet I have seen, beautifully shot and edited by Adrian Maben, really capturing the colour, the emotion and the music in one memorable film.
There is some singing in Khmer, which briefly outlines the story, and there are title cards and subtitles in French, and for anyone who knows either language, that will help them enjoy the story. It would be good though if someone could add English captions.
Mainly though the actions and emotions are conveyed through the stylised dance scenes and hand and facial gestures, which the close-in shots enable us to see very well. The various angles and juxtopositions of the photography truly adding to the dance itself.
If there is any fault it is that there is somewhat too much emphasis on switching between the musicians, the singers and the dancers, which tends to cut into the story a little, and cause something of a distraction.
The playlist consists of six scenes:
- Rama Goes Into Exile
- Hanuman and Sovan Macha
- Rama Battles Ravana
- Rescuing of Sita
- Trial by Fire
- Happily Ever After
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