'The Dance of the Eyes' is a short travelogue made for screening during a cinema program in the 1940s and 1950s. This resource includes a video that has the capacity for subtitles, education notes, and a transcript of the narration.
Structure and features
This black-and-white clip shows a traditional Balinese dance, which the narrator calls 'The dance of the Eyes’, accompanied by a gamelan orchestra. The clip contains shots of women performing complex movements of the dancers, and shots of the musicians.
- Before viewing: find and discuss the meanings of the following words: 'Balinese', 'gamelan', 'ritual', 'polyrhythmic', 'percussive', 'interlocking', 'batik', 'accentuate' and 'exotic'.
- During viewing: take note of how the dancer/s use gesture, eyes, arms and body. Play the clip a few times, and note down your observations.
- After viewing:
- Read the “Education notes”. Summarise and make comment on each of the 8 'educational value points'.
- Compare and discuss your summaries and reflections with another student, referring back to the clip as often as needed.
- Complete and formalise your summaries and reflections in writing or orally, ready for submission to your teacher.
- Extension question: In what ways do you think Australia’s attitudes to Asia have changed since the 1950s?
Links and files
Teacher notes
This resource is one of a number on the Australian Screen website. It is suitable for years 7 to 9 dance students.
The resource addresses the responding strand of Australian Curriculum Dance, the Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia cross curriculum priority, and the Intercultural Understandings General Capability.
