A Study in Choreography for Camera

I thoroughly enjoyed Maya Deren's "A Study in Choreography for Camera" not only because I am a dancer and appreciated the movement contained in the film, but because of the way it was manipulated and portrayed by film. The slow pan at the beginning breaking down Talley's (the dancer) transition from a crouch to a slow extension of his leg to an almost 180 degree angle was absolutely enrapturing. The technique required to execute his movement is clearly shown and emphasized, even for the non-dancer, by the slowness of his dancing. Each muscle is seen flexing and supporting his feats as he turns slowly, then gradually faster, and the isolation of his head, 'spotting' his turns ( so that he stays in place and does not become dizzy -- the continuous flipping of his head around more quickly than his body so that his head turns to face the camera again before his body returns to face forward) was very thoughtful to me. I believe this film glorifies dance a bit -- especially in the juxtaposition of a Buddha statue and Talley's turning head, which appears to be rotating to face all directions without the body itself turning, much like the statue.