The Enchanted Dance
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The Enchanted Dance is a film about Egyptian Belly Dance, in two parts, essentially a learn to Belly Dance video, running time is 90 minutes (Australian version). The film is presented and danced by Estelle Asmodelle. It was produced by Belinda Kuzyk. An original soundtrack accompanies the film. The film was high controversial in the 90s as the dancer was a transsexual.
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[edit] Inside the film
This film is in two part - running time is 1 hour. VHS (PAL & NTSC)
Part 1 is a documentary that traces the origins of the Ancient Egyptian Belly Dance. Let Asmodelle take you back to the time of the Ancients as she explores the history and elegance. Egyptian dance has survived for more than 5000 years but never did it look as beautiful as it does here as our host Estelle dances in the ancient style.
Part 2 is an instructional program. Asmodelle will lead you through the dance form in elegant style. This part is for those who desire to be a part of this beautifully mystical and very ancient art form! With many of the basic and advanced movements shown in detail for those wishing to use Belly Dance for either exercise or for health or for self expression.
Estelle Asmodelle is a highly experienced Belly Dancer from Australia. In spite of her level of professionalism Estelle manages to bring to life the basic steps in a simple form for all to use and enjoy. There is also basic instruction of the use of finger cymbals, "Zills" and basic to advanced use of the "Veil", as a means to enhance the dance.
[[Also visit the Egyptian rooms of The South Australian Museum and The Nicholson Museum of Antiquities. This film was partially funded by the Australian Government and was produced by [E Entertainment Films ((now Night Star Pictures) and Belinda Kuzyk.
Also included in this video pack is instructions on Belly Dance Costume design. With this easy guide you can make simple yet stunning costumes that will be professional enough to perform. Belly dance costume design comes in three main styles and all three are outlined here for you to use, with easy to follow drawings and pictures.
[edit] About the dancer
Estelle Asmodelle is a highly experienced Belly Dancer from Australia.
Estelle studied many different versions of the dance, she has danced in seven countries, appeared on many television shows, from The Midday Show in Sydney to The Beat Takashi show in Japan, she has also appeared in feature films and danced on the some of the best stages in the world today.
Estelle has studied Ancient Egyptian dance hieroglyphics and formed the basis of her interpretation of the Beledi form, and practiced the style that she believes is “… the closest form of the dance to date. In ancient Egypt Belly Dance was a ceremonial dance that was performed with a spiritual perspective as well as an erotic one. This kind of innate understanding of the dance is key to tapping into primal femininity that unconsciously will guide the dancer with true inspiration”. Estelle has studied other forms of dance as well, such as African, Modern Dance, Ballet and even Jazz Ballet, but she always returns to her main path, that of Beledi. “After understanding other dance forms gives a dancer a true understanding of where it all came from, some say it was Africa, I believe it was Egypt” Estelle has written articles on the health aspects of the dance in magazines such as, Cosmopolitan, WellBeing, Women’s Spirit, Nature and Health and many more. The health aspects are overwhelming in fact but to me one of the most important aspect of the dance is the spiritual component.
[edit] Controversy
The film was highly successful but many belly dancers were perplexed by the fact that the dancer in the film, Estelle Asmodelle, is a transsexual - many belly dancers felt that a sex change female could not perform the dance properly. Although the film was successful in spite of the controversy and was watched by many people world wide. As a result it was in the 1990's one of the most famous Belly Dance Films.
