Ballets Russes (2005)

Ballets Russes is an intimate portrait of a group of pioneering artists -- now in their 70s, 80s and 90s -- who gave birth to modern ballet.

Directors:

Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine

Writers:

Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine

Stars:

Irina Baronova, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Yvonne Chouteau

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Irina Baronova	...	Self
Kenneth Kynt Bryan	...	Dance Student
Yvonne Chouteau	...	Self
Yvonne Craig	...	Self
Frederic Franklin	...	Self
Alan Howard	...	Self
Nathalie Krassovska	...	Self
Alicia Markova	...	Self (as Dame Alicia Markova)
Milada Mladova	...	Self (clip "Escape Me Never") (archive footage)
Nina Novak	...	Self
Marc Platt	...	Self
Wakefield Poole	...	Self
Tatiana Riabouchinska	...	Self
Marian Seldes	...	Narrator (voice)
Mia Slavenska	...	Self

Storyline

For many, modern ballet began with the Ballet Russe of Monte Carlo, originally made up of Russian exiles from the Russian Revolution. This film tells the story of this landmark company with its stars and production as well as its power games, rivalries and tribulations that marked its turbulent history.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | f rated | theatre | professional rivalry | dance | 

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Taglines:

Fame, glamour, ego, politics, money, war, love . . . and dance.

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

References Funny Girl (1968)

User Reviews

Glorious

I walked into this film knowing very little about the history of ballet in the 20th century, and though those more knowledgeable than I may quibble with facts or omissions, I can't imagine anybody who loves dance, music, or human beings walking away from this film unsatisfied.

Much of the archival footage is thrilling to watch--much of it, to be honest, is also a little bland and hard to distinguish. Nonetheless, the film as a whole is very well edited and makes wonderful use of music. Its true glory rests, however, in the beautiful, opinionated, eccentric personalities that emerge, personalities so vibrant and colorful even at 80, 90 years of age that they make the living people around one (God forgive me for saying this) seem like tattered scraps of ashen cardboard. Dance must be some kind of fountain of youth. That so many of the people central to the history of these two companies should not only still be alive, but also be SO ALIVE, is nothing short of miraculous.

The film half-heartedly tries to end on a note of hope for the future of ballet, but let's not kid ourselves: this is an elegy for an art-form that will never again be quite what it once was. And actually, the film is all the more poignant for that. A beautiful and unforgettable film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 2006 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Ballets Russes

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,230, 30 October 2005

Gross USA:

$815,848

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,331,363

Company Credits

Production Co:

Geller/Goldfine Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1