South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn is something of a worldwide sensation. Before there was K-pop, K-beauty and Squid Game, Ahn was redefining how Asian and Korean art would be seen internationally, and is widely held to be one of the best things to come out of Seoul!
Post-Orientalist Express has been wowing audiences across the globe, during theatrical runs and as Festival headliners, and the choice proved to be perfect for opening night of Sydney Festival. Ahn draws on traditions from Okinawa, Bali and Manila, transforming them into exhilarating new dance languages that both celebrate and subvert clichéd concepts of Asian cultures.
In 1994 Ahn graduated from Tisch School for the Arts in New York and from 1999-2000 received the Manhattan Foundation for the Arts award and New York Foundation for the Arts award. She’s been impressing people ever since and this new show sits somewhere between a technicolour dream and a reimagining of what might be going on in a private universe, or anime come to life, maybe what really goes on at the bottom of the sea- bed, or some colourful planet where everyone lives on acid.Â
The dancers were as to be expected unbelievably agile and physically perfect, while the extraordinary costumes have all been designed by Ahn herself. It was mesmerising while at the same time funny and ground-breaking, meeting classical story beats and throwing in contemporary teenage pop culture.
Ahn told Irresistible after opening night, “It was fantastic. It was a first night for the show and I’m in Sydney for the first time in my life. We finally got here!”
“Sydney people are amazing about arts and culture. They know what we are doing and they are supporting us. Their honest reaction tonight was incredible. We have to be together in these days. Individually we have very small power but together we can do anything.”
We asked her if that sentiment was part of her deeper motivation for her art making. “That’s why I’m making dance,” she said. “Dance is one of the most beautiful languages for being together, without any words. But 
with hearts. I felt it today.”Â
Ahn went on to tell Irresistible how she feels about Sydney, and Australia more generally.  “The Sydney people are so friendly,”she said. “We have a similar history. We’re nearby. There is a way for us all to do something together for the future. And the future is one of the most important questions. What are you gonna do for next? 
Sydney Festival is asking that question with all its programs. Not only for the arts, but for the people, and culture and history. That’s why I think that this is gonna be one of the beautiful festivals in the world, I hope. 
It is a fantastic festival.”
French Producer Jean-Marie Chabot told Irresistible that the group have previously performed in Australia at OzAsia in 2018 and that he’s been with them for 11 years. “We were introduced through Paris Fringe and after that an exchange program between 
France and Korea brought us together,” he said. “We’re like a gypsy family. This is one artist you don’t see every day. 
Maybe once in a lifetime. They’ve changed my life. Since I met them, everything I do is a bit different. I definitely wear more colour!”
POST-ORIENTALIST EXPRESS
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Roslyn Packer Theatre
22 Hickson Road Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Dawes Point NSW 2000
Thursday 8th January 8pm
Friday 9th January 7pm
Saturday 10th January 7pm
