Ballet Russes

A captivating film that truly elevates the spirit, "Ballets Russes" is the most emotionally satisfying documentary since "Mad Hot Ballroom." Is it a coincidence that both deal with dance? Maybe, but maybe not.

For though dance exists in the moment and then is gone, the grace and artistry that go into that instant make for a transcendent experience capable of conveying the best of what creativity can achieve.

Los Angeles Times review

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If you have wondered where the term "baby ballerinas" came from, and love dance - actually if you love movement, IMHO this movie is the ticket.

The Ballet Russes company is this film is not the famed troup of the visionary impressario Diaghilev founded in the 1900s but the company founded to continue the next generation of Russina-inspired classical ballet - the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo. This film was made in documentary form, but it is certainly far from dry in tone; there are many wonderful dancers interviewed and much incredible archive footage of some of the greats of the past. Balanchine, Leonid Massine, Agnes de Mille, Nijinsky's sister Bronislava Nijinska and the baby ballerinas Alicia Markarova, Riabouchinska and Baronova.

All this sounds like a list of long-forgotten names, but in the end these wonderful artists come alive in all of their complexity and humanity. I hope you all get to see it!

Tenorguy

I am a total movie addict who occasionally likes taking in unusual movies, so I will most certain keep an eye out for this one.

Buzzz - I don't think you'll be dissappointed! :thumbsup:

I saw the film, Tenorguy, and it is very touching. I wish that the correct music would have been used as accompaniment to the ballet clips (90% were wrong....Giselle music to Sleeping Beauty, for example). Other than that, it was wonderful. Many of the people interviwed during the summer-2000 New Orleans 'reunion' of Ballet-Russes dancers have since died, so this is a super-valuable document of recollections.

Frau Muller

Or should I call you Die schone Mullerin? Thank you for pointing out the musical accompaniment issues - I didn't notice them when I was watching those clips of Giselle et al.... I wonder why the film makers (who obviously care about dance) let that slide through? Curious...

It was fascinating learning about Balanchine's early career; how he was not immediately embraced as the 'father of modern ballet' and had to go several years without a company before landing with Lincoln Kirsten (sp) and NYC Ballet. Fascinating stuff. I also liked seeing Marc Platoff (nee Platt ) in the hollywood clip - truly he was a magnificent dancer.

Tenorguy

Tenorguy -

Those Russified names were a hoot, weren't they?

About the music, I suspect that the filmmakers did not have the funding to commision a pianist to research, then play, a synchronized background score. Unless the pianist is a ballet specialist, he would have to first sit with a specialist who will 'recognize' the steps being danced & hum the music for the pianist. Pianist would compile everything and play the background while carefully matching his playing to the dancing. It's not the easiest process but certainly doable. [It was done for the old silent film of 'Gaite Parisienne' which was issued by VAI a few years ago. It's been done at screenings of silent films here in DC and in NY, I know.]

Frau M.

Tenorguy said:

Frau Muller

Or should I call you Die schone Mullerin? Thank you for pointing out the musical accompaniment issues - I didn't notice them when I was watching those clips of Giselle et al.... I wonder why the film makers (who obviously care about dance) let that slide through? Curious...

It was fascinating learning about Balanchine's early career; how he was not immediately embraced as the 'father of modern ballet' and had to go several years without a company before landing with Lincoln Kirsten (sp) and NYC Ballet. Fascinating stuff. I also liked seeing Marc Platoff (nee Platt ) in the hollywood clip - truly he was a magnificent dancer.
Tenorguy

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Frau and Tenor - I will be seeing it next week for the third time. I wish I could get a DV of it. Funny thing about Ballanchine, he finally made it in the US which was held in disdain for anything balletic Except for the Red Shoes, Massine never regained his prominence, and his ballets as danced at ABT do not hold up. Lichine had his 15 minutes with Graduation Ball, but Fokine's ballets hold up.

Joe