Rust In Peace

Arthouse filmmaker Kogonada returns with sci-fi After Yang

IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ELEGANT and mournful film that explores a family coming to terms with the death of their robotic child, audiences might not expect a poptastic dance routine - but that's what they get in After Yang. Renowned arthouse filmmaker and video essayist Kogonada has the entire cast, dancing in unison, in coordinating metallic dance wear. The utter joy of the scene is something of an anomaly, but for Kogonada that contrast is what gives the moment its power.

"Right at the writing of it I knew the mother was going to talk about how the family was going to work as a team and immediately I envisioned this hard cut to seeing this family in sync, before we were going to start feeling them out of sync," he tells Red Alert. The joy of watching the routine - which is part of 30,000 families performing the same dance across the globe - reflects Kogonada's adoration of the artform. "I love dance. I love dance and film especially. So if there's a reason to do it I'll try to find a reason. This felt like such a great way to start a film that I knew was gonna be sort of pitched in a quiet space. To start with something explosive and joyous and in sync."