The Choreographer and the Dancer: A Story of Movement and Passion
Damien Jalet, the choreographer behind Luca Guadagnino’s horror masterpiece Suspiria, first encountered Zoe Saldaña through her iconic role in Avatar. While her performance as Neytiri left a lasting impression, it was her earlier film Center Stage that truly revealed her dancers’ soul. For Jalet, discovering Center Stage was a revelation—it confirmed that Saldaña understood the discipline, intensity, and raw emotion that dance demanded. “It was such an amazing relief to feel that, like, ‘Oh, she’s a dancer,’” Jalet remarked. This realization was pivotal, as it laid the foundation for their collaboration, blending movement, storytelling, and character development in ways that would leave a lasting impact.
From Instinct to Artistry: Choreographing Rita’s Journey
In the initial conception of Saldaña’s character, Rita, there was only one dance scene planned—a stark contrast to the eventual depth of her performance. Rita was to walk through a crowded open-air market, her body slicing through the air with intensity, building a defense for the courtroom. Jalet described this first scene as raw and instinctual, with Rita’s movements lacking sharpness but brimming with power. Her hands and arms moved with a desperate urgency, as if carving through the air to make her voice heard. For Jalet, this scene was a starting point, but he knew there was more to explore. He fought to give Saldaña more opportunities to showcase Rita’s growth, to create moments where her character could explode into freedom and vulnerability.
A Dance of Defiance: The Evolution of Rita in "El Mal
The turning point came with "El Mal," a pivotal scene set in a grand ballroom during a gala. Here, Rita confronts the hypocrisy and wealth of the room, her body transforming into a weapon of resistance. Clad in a striking red velvet suit, her hair slicked into a low ponytail, Saldaña’s Rita exudes defiance. As she interprets the lines “had his partner’s throat slit,” her arm strikes forward, her fingers shaping into scissors, slicing through the air with precision. Jalet wanted dance to be more than just movement—it had to be a tool of resistance, a weapon that mirrored Rita’s inner turmoil and strength.
As Saldaña moves through the ballroom, her body becomes a force of nature. She spins, struts, and owns the space with unshakable confidence. Her hips swirl like a storm, her limbs extending like swords, slicing through the air with unrelenting power. “She’s a killer,” Jalet said, reflecting on the intensity of her performance. For Rita, dance is not just a form of expression but a language of defiance, a way to challenge the status quo and reclaim her power.
The Intelligence of the Body: Saldaña’s Gift
Saldaña’s weapon, both as Rita and in her broader career, is the intelligence of her body—a body that speaks with passion, precision, and articulation. Whether her movements are seen or only felt, they carry a depth that transcends words. Jalet recognized early on that dance was not just a skill for Saldaña but a deeply ingrained part of her being. “When you start as a dancer, you think as a dancer the rest of your life,” he said. For Saldaña, dance is not just a profession but a way of understanding the world, a way of being.
The Vulnerability and Power of Dance
Jalet also reflected on the sacrifices and challenges of being a dancer. Like the myth of Sisyphus, dance is a constant struggle—no matter how brilliant the performance, the next day brings a new beginning, a new battle with physical pain, exhaustion, and vulnerability. Yet, it is this vulnerability that makes dance so powerful. When Saldaña dances, she brings her entire self to the floor, channeling her strength and vulnerability into every movement. Her performance in Suspiria is a testament to this truth—you cannot hide from your first love. For Saldaña, dance is not just a passion; it is her identity, her weapon, and her voice.
