RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 460, 16 April 1948, Page 18

RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT

Antidote to Monotony |

HE National Film Unit release for April 23 is devoted to the subject of rhythmical gymnastics -a practical methud of physical education which its advocates say is doing much to improve the general health, posture, and physical well-being of many New Zealand girls and women. A point strongly emphasised in the film is that the exercises counteract the physical effects and monotony of occupations which are inclined to cramp limbs, round shoulders, and leave the mind jaded and irritable. The film makes this point with a sequence of industrial and city activities and then shows how much can be done in these circumstances by regular weekly attendance at rhythmical gymnastic classes. "Rhythm and Movement" shows the work of a Wellington Y.W.C.A. class

under Gisa Taglicht; but in making the film the director, Michael Forlong, felt that it was necessary to avoid any suggestion of nymphs sporting round rose beds and fountains, and by selecting a flat space on a hill top obtained a background consisting of very beautiful cloud effects. By carefully choosing the colour for the costumes worn in the film, the cameraman, Ivo Tisch, has achieved a very lovely balance of tone between the backgrounds and the gracefully moving girls. The New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn, who was asked to write the background music, was present when the film was being shot and was able to make the notes which eventually were amplified into music which exactly follows the original rhythm of the movements. The film is an interesting experiment in combining movement, music and cutting to an over-all rhythm, and audience reactions will be watched with interest.