Rent Ballets Russes (2005)
3.9 of 5 from 67 ratings
1h 58min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Directed with consummate invention and infused with juicy anecdotal interviews from many of the company's glamorous stars, Ballets Russes is the incredible film that has entranced cinema audiences across the country, becoming this year's most captivating smash hit documentary! This remarkable, enchanting, engrossing and enlightening modern classic treats audiences to a rare glimpse of the singularly remarkable merger of Russian, American, European, and Latin American dancers, choreographers, composers and designers that transformed the face of ballet for generations to come. Unearthing a treasure trove of archival footage, Emmy award-winning filmmakers Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller map the company's Diaghilev-era beginnings in turn-of-the-century Paris, when artists such as Dame Alicia Markova, Frederic Franklin, Nijinsky, Balanchine, Picasso, Miro, Matisse and Stravinsky united in an unparalleled collaboration - where ego, politics, war, money, fame, glamour, love, betrayal and grace blended with dance. - Actors:
- Irina Baronova, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Yvonne Chouteau, Yvonne Craig, Frederic Franklin, Alan Howard, Nathalie Krassovska, Alicia Markova, Milada Mladova, Nina Novak, Marc Platt, Wakefield Poole, Tatiana Riabouchinska, Mia Slavenska, Tatiana Stepanova, Maria Tallchief, Tamara Tchinarova Finch, Miguel Terekhov, Nini Theilade, Raven Wilkinson
- Directors:
- Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine
- Voiced By:
- Marian Seldes
- Narrated By:
- Marian Seldes
- Writers:
- Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine
- Studio:
- Revolver
- Genres:
- Documentary, Performing Arts
- Collections:
- Dancing Queens: Guide to the Musical Films That'll, Films by Genre
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Reviews (1) of Ballets Russes
Fascinating piece of dance history. - Ballets Russes review by DW
I have long been fascinated by the story of The Ballet Russes and their innovatory, even revolutionary, use of composers, choreographers, artists, designers to fashion an entirely new approach to ballet/dance which completely changed how many aspects of the arts would develop throughout the 20th Century.
This was not my first viewing of this documentary but a second look still held my interest as dancers from the second, post Diaghlev phase, reminisced about their years with the B, R. Many of them are Russian, of course, but some are American or even British, all of them still strong characters here in old age sharing their recollections with us and each other. Even when individual egos promise to overwhelm the collective memory, somehow all is redeemed by the affection the former dancers have for each other and for the unique experiences given to them as members of a most extraordinary artistic movement.
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