"Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet" is a 2001 documentary that shows some of what goes on behind the scenes in a ballet company and its adjoining school: rehearsals, classes, performances, fittings, along with interviews with students, understudies, performers, teachers, and directors. All of this makes for a compelling piece about art, commitment, and choices.
Young, thin, and energetic, students in the school hope to get a placement in the ballet after completing their classes. Dancers are ranked from the lowest, the corps de ballet, to the highest, premiere danseur.
What is fascinating is what these young dancers go through at such a young age. They learn tremendous discipline and sacrifice. One dancer pointed out that she's not giving up a party; rather, she's choosing something more important to her, which is a good performance. The students also learn, early on, that they need to make decisions: what if they don't make it into the company, what if something happens and they are unable to continue dancing, should they marry, have children, just dedicate themselves to a career...a dancer's career is like an athlete's - it's short, and one has to mature early.
A truly excellent look at the life of an artist from the beginning to final performance.
Young, thin, and energetic, students in the school hope to get a placement in the ballet after completing their classes. Dancers are ranked from the lowest, the corps de ballet, to the highest, premiere danseur.
What is fascinating is what these young dancers go through at such a young age. They learn tremendous discipline and sacrifice. One dancer pointed out that she's not giving up a party; rather, she's choosing something more important to her, which is a good performance. The students also learn, early on, that they need to make decisions: what if they don't make it into the company, what if something happens and they are unable to continue dancing, should they marry, have children, just dedicate themselves to a career...a dancer's career is like an athlete's - it's short, and one has to mature early.
A truly excellent look at the life of an artist from the beginning to final performance.