Sally Gross -- The Pleasure of Stillness, a film by Albert Maysles and Kristen Nutile.

The Pleasure of Stillness is the perfect title for a film about Sally Gross. It is also the title of her piece performed in 2007, the making of which is chronicled in the film.  In July of last year I wrote about Sally when she died at the age of 82 and I was pleased that Film Forum showed this film in its recent survey of the work of the Maysles Brothers.  We have very few records of how pieces are choreographed and how choreographers work and this film is a wonderful example not only of Gross's work but of her importance in the history of dance.  She grew up on the Lower East Side, the daughter  of immigrants, and learned to dance at the Henry Street Settlement House. She played an important role in the Judson Church post-modern dance scene and continued to choreograph and dance -- at least one new piece a year -- until the end of her life. As someone who currently takes a class in "dance for the older body" I am particularly impressed by how, both in her choreography and her classes, Sally showed that anyone, regardless of age or body type, could be a dancer

The film also shows what an open and understanding person Sally was; she was influenced by art, literature and music, all of which she incorporated into her dancing and choreography.  We are fortunate indeed to have this film which includes many examples of her work, both early and recent (the film was made in 2007).