Dominique Issermann Names Actress Who Stars In Two Leonard Cohen Videos

From Dance Me To The End Of Love Video

The Query

On June 23, 2012, Marco wrote from Italy asking about the identify of the actress in the  1985 “Dance Me To The End Of Love” video directed by Dominique Issermann. After  checking the usual sources, I found only that the same question had been asked elsewhere but, as far as I could determine, no answer had been forthcoming.

Consequently, I reached out to a handful of Cohen cognoscenti, who sometimes come up with Cohen-related information far more arcane than this.  In this case, however, the name of the actress was unknown to even this group.

Dominique BOILE, however, did know what to do next – he wrote to Dominique Issermann with the question.

Dominique Issermann - January 16, 2012 Paris at Leonard Cohen Old Ideas Event

The Answer

A little over twelve hours later, he received this response:

Susan Hauser , qui était mannequin quand je l’ai rencontrée et avait dansé avec le New York City Ballet …
Elle est aussi l’actrice principale de ” First we take Manhattan”
Bien à vous , Dominique I.

“Susan Hauser, who was a model when I met her and danced with the New York City Ballet …
She is also the lead actress of “First We Take Manhattan”
Sincerely, Dominique I.

From First We Take Manhattan

I have, of course, relayed the answer to Marco, but both Ms Hauser’s identity and Dominique Issermann’s graciousness merited memorization in a post.

And, Dominique BOILE once again merits a special thank-you for solving another Cohen puzzle. Dominique BOILE also took the exquisite photo of Ms Issermann at the Paris Old Ideas event.

Révélations by Dominique Issermann & featuring Susan Hauser (sold to benefit the International Federation of Human Rights, Paris, Friday, November 13, 2009)

 Videos: First We Take Manhattan
& Dance Me To The End of Love

The striking beauty of Susan Hauser is evident; her dance experience is put to use in First We Take Manhattan as she first walks on the seawall (beginning at 3:45) and then reverses to skip backward along the same narrow surface.   It is in Dance Me To The End of Love, however, that her skills are fully exercised in a sequence that starts at 1:52 as she dances and twirls the length of the hospital hallway.

Leonard Cohen – Dance Me To The End of Love

Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan