Overview
Meredith Monk's "Ellis Island" is a haunting, reflective piece on Ellis Island and the immigrants who passed through there.
Black-and-white, near-static shots of actors and actresses realistically portraying turn-of-the-century immigrants are combined with color shots of a modern-day tour guide conducting a tour of the buildings. Re-creations of the medical examinations the immigrants underwent and the conditions they lived through are filmed in the run-down buildings of Ellis Island before restoration was started.
Elements of modern dance are also incorporated, as contemporary dance groups often interact with the immigrant re-creations. Ethereal music and chanting accompany the piece, adding to the piece's reflective tone.
Particularly beautiful is a three-minute dance scene performed by what appear to be the ghosts of immigrants. Music written by Meredith Monk and performed by Monk and others. The music consists mostly of chanting, which supports the haunting, reflective mood of the piece.
Produced by Bob Rosen.
Directed by Meredith Monk.
28 Minutes.