Movement from across the Mekong

A few months ago, the Alliance Francaise Bangkok moved into a new building on the land where Suan Lum Night Bazaar used to stand in easy walking distance from the Lumpini MRT station. The new auditorium has been showing movies every week and is now ready to host a double-bill dance performance that’s described by its choreographer as “a moment of escape and cultural understanding”. That feels indeed like the old AFB auditorium on Sathorn Road.

Laos-born and France-bred dancer and choreographer Ole Kamchanla returns to Bangkok after a memorable collaboration between French, Laotian and Thai dancers in “Fang Lao” staged at the Patravadi Theatre as part of La Fete a few years ago.

This time he’s also introducing to us Fang Lao Dance Company who will make their Thailand debut with “Break Korn”. “This is the first official professional dance company in Laos, founded by Noutnapha Soydala and Ounla Pha Oudom [formerly members of my Kham Dance Company] this September,” he explains.

“Break Korn” combines Lao traditional dance, hip hop and contemporary dance. “The techniques of hip-hop and Lao traditional dances are as contemporary as Capoeira or Butoh. They are like ingredients and as a chef, I am free to try combining different vegetables, meats and chilli - what’s most important is the taste. Likewise, the most important [for this artistic amalgamation] is the final artwork.”

Kamchanla will also perform his solo work “Kham…” from the repertory of his Kham Dance Company, which deals with, like the dancer and choreographer himself, a return to one’s cultural roots. “I don’t really dance the Capoeira,” he smiles. “As I use this martial art in my work, you can just feel the Capoeira in some movements. This technique helps me feel light and feline. But I use the [classical Thai masked dance] Khon in this solo as well in all my next works and I’m interested to hear what Bangkok audiences think about this.” 

Both performances have been seen in Laos and received a positive responses. “‘Kham ...’ premiered there in 2007, and ‘Break Korn’ in 2012 during the international dance festival ‘Fang Mae Khong’ in Vientiane. Since then, it’s been staged several times in the country. The Laotian audience was amazed to see a performance that crossed traditional with modern dance. Beyond the technology, they felt that there was an intention, emotions and an intimate story that was told through ‘Kham ...’. Young Laotian dancers began to take an interest in drama and diverse dance techniques in the show,” he says. 

“‘Break Korn’ is an example of the evolution of the choreography in Laos.

The result is contemporary dance that mixes different dance styles and contains drama and a theme, as well as demonstrating interest in social development and education. They make use of arts in education for social and cultural purposes. This work will tour in France in April and May and will offer the French a way to discover Lao culture through artistic exchange between tradition and modernity.”

Looking back on his collaboration with Thai dancers in “Fang Lao”, Kamchanla says, “The experience was very interesting for Thai dancers, and some wanted to go further. But desire is not enough. Artists, whether they’re in Thailand or Laos, need support to express their full creativity. And if they don’t have the support of cultural institutions, they can only respond to a growing demand from private sector sponsors with advertising entertainment. After all, we’re here to entertain, aren’t we? And so what if we add a bit of background, meaning and emotion - a cherry on the cake - to touch hearts and minds?” 

 

CULTURAL CREATIONS

 < “Break Korn” and “Kham…” are being staged at the Alliance Francaise Bangkok auditorium tonight at 7:30pm. 

< Tickets are Bt400 (Bt250 for students and members). 

< Book now by calling (02) 670 4231. 

< For more information, go to Facebook.com/Alliance Francaise de Bangkok.