It’s a movement four decades old. An art form that defies definition. Retains its radicalism and as fresh as yesterday. Yes, welcome to German dance-theatre / Tanztheater, a term which took its roots in late 1920s through singular efforts of German dancer and choreographer Kurt Jooss.

Jooss’ ensemble productions combined expressionistic modern-dance movements with fundamental ballet technique. Leaving Germany after rise of Hitler to England and touring several European and American cities, he returned to Germany post-war and was a major influence on the movement.

Following in the maestro’s footsteps, Pina Bausch reinvented his ideas giving them new dimensions. She, along with Johann Kresnik created their first pieces, making 1967, as it were, the year when German dance-theatre was (re)born guided by Bausch’s belief: “I’m less interested in how people move than in what moves them.”

Thanks to pioneers like Bausch, Kresnik and Gerhard Bohner, a brood of young talents were born all of whom broadened the foundation of this new genre such Susanne Linke, Reinhild Hoffmann and others. Today there is already a second and third generation of German dance-theatre choreographers such as Sasha Waltz, who, unlike, Pina Bausch, believes in prominence to movement rather than theatrical component.

Celebrating this unique genre of expressive theatre, City’s Max Mueller Bhavan, this Fri to Sun, is presenting series of films entitled Masters of Movement. The screenings start at 6.30 pm flagged off by an introduction by Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts Artistic Director Jayachandran Palazhy. The journey begins with introduction of contemporary dance highlighting contributions of Pina Bausch — Coffee with Pina, Reinhild Hoffmann, Susanne Linke and Johann Kresnik.

Saturday’s offerings on the theme of The Choreography of Sasha Waltaz features cinematic explorations of Jorg Jeshel & Brigitte Kramer’s Bodies, which speaks about duality of competition and unity, hate and love and rejection and admirability with attendant political overtones of skin colour and race. Peter Schonhofer’s Dido & Aeneas presents tragic love story of Carthaginian Queen Dido and Aeneas who flee from Troy through ensemble presentation of 12 dancers with accompaniment of 51 musician, chorist and solist orchestra.

Sunday’s Dance for the Young & Old sees Rhythm is it! by Thomas Grube & Enrique Sanchez Lansch a documentary on Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra where 250 children and young adults from diverse social situations study Briton Royston Maldoom’s choreography The Scare Story. Lilo Mangelsdorff’s Ladies & Gentlemen over 65, is a touching film about ageing process wherein elderly amateurs face a new challenge for the dance piece Kontakthof.

If theatrical explorations and philharmonic symphonies are cultural do that send your heart throbbing head to 716, CMH Road, Indiranagar I Stage. Admission Free. For details call: 25205305/06/07/08