Iberia

In its own very distinct way, Carlos Saura's "Iberia" might be to dance what Jonathan Demme's "Stop Making Sense" is to the rock concert genre. Both movies, not content to simply capture the performance, go far inside the process of performance art itself and, using expressionistic techniques, reach its purest essence.

Saura has made many dazzling movies about dance before, from "Carmen" to "Flamenco," but "Iberia" may just be his most sensual work. Using a studio outfitted with minimalist backdrops of scrims, curtains and mirrors, Saura adapts sections of composer Isaac Albeniz's "Iberia" suite to be performed by a number of the biggest stars in the Spanish dance and music world. He initially makes us conscious of the artifice he's created by letting us see the cameras, lights and recording equipment, but then he uses the magic of performance to evaporate the artifice. Both richly textured and exquisitely choreographed, "Iberia" is one of the most fully realized expressions of love for the art of movement. Featuring Sara Baras, Antonio Canales, Manolo Sanlucar and Enrique Morente. Directed and written by Carlos Saura. Produced by Alvaro Longoria. No distributor set. Performance film. Not yet rated. Running time: 99 min p>