Product Description

'The Cost of Living' was shot on location in a typical, old-fashioned and faded English seaside resort where the summer season has petered to an end, and an air of desertion hangs over the town. Eddie and David are disillusioned street performers. Eddie is tough, confrontational and not afraid to defend his belief in justice, respect and honesty. David is a legless dancer who is quietly determined not to let his disability or society's prejudices get in his way. A series of inter-linked scenes show Eddie and David's encounters with other people; some are incredibly hard-hitting, others exhilarating because of their sheer physicality. Issues are raised about how we judge others and how we, in turn, value ourselves through physical metaphors. The film challenges notions of dance and demonstrates how expansive and individual the medium can be. The work of DV8 Physical Theatre is about taking risks both physical and aesthetic. It is about personal politics, about breaking down barriers between dance and theatre and, above all, about communicating ideas and feelings clearly and unpretentiously. The company tells stories through extended naturalistic movement in a radical yet accessible way, shunning linear narrative and rejecting the traditional conventions of ballet and modern dance. Winner of the 2005 Prix Italia, Rose d'Or, and Sette Jury Prize.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12363 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-27
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 37 minutes

Synopsis
Contemporary dance group DV8 Physical Theatre present this film version of their 2003 theatrical piece THE COST OF LIVING.

Review
Extraordinary --The New York Times

Review
NEWSON TRIUMPHS AGAIN Performances are everywhere excellent. The production is visually superlative. --The Financial Times

Customer Reviews

DV8 Physical Theatre - The Cost of Living
This is an astounding piece of work from start to finish. Setting a surreal scene in a seaside town in Britain, the dancers perform using unconventional choreography which aims to challenge viewers' notions of grace and physical perfection. The film moves through a number of set pieces in which the two main characters Eddie and David encounter various other people in both physically and emotionally uplifting and/or confrontational ways.

This film achieved exactly what it aimed to do: to make me think about the way we look at others and judge them, especially on the basis of their physique. For a lot of people this film will shoot down their preconceptions about high art and performance. It's rare that you see art and social issues mix so effectively as they do here. If you love dance and choreography and you want to see something that will both satisfy what you already love about dance and yet make you think differently about it at the same time, then watch this - it's unforgettable.

Pure Brilliance
I had never done a piece of physical theatre until this year at college. To show me and my class what it was all about we watched this DVD, it challenges our views on people and sometimes they say what others might be thinking or wouldn't normally speak out about in a certain situation, after writing this I am buying it as it is definately money well spent !

The Cost of Living - Simply Superb
I bought this DVD for my daughter because she needed it for her drama GCSE. I am not a fan of modern dance being much more of a traditionalist but I highly recommend this DVD, it is truly EXCELLENT! Be aware, however, especially if buying for a younger age group, that there is a proliferation of foul language.