Four Must-See Ballet DVDs

Sondra Forsyth | Feb 01, 2010 | 0

As a ballet artistic director and ballet mom (Hi, Stacey!), I enthusiastically recommend four iconic DVDs to share with the dancers and dance devotees in your life. Yes, "iconic" is the cliche adjective du jour, but it's definitely apt in this instance.

Here's my list:

"The Red Shoes" A 2009 restoration of the 1948 classic that inspired a generation of little girls to dream of a ballet career -- present company not excepted!

"The Children of Theatre Street: The Story of the Kirov Ballet School" A 1977 release narrated by the late Princess Grace of Monaco.  

"Ballet Russes" A 2005 documentary featuring historic film clips plus interviews -- at times heart-warming, at times bittersweet -- with the former stars of Diaghilev's legendary company.  

"La Danse: Le Ballet de L'Opera de Paris" A 2009 documentary by Frederick Wiseman, the award-winning master of films that delve into the workings of institutions. He is the self-described "Chronicler of the Western World."

After the jump, I'll wax poetic about how my picks can educate and entertain, and I'll toss in a few barbs as I see fit. I'll also give you links so that you can buy or pre-order your choices.

"The Red Shoes" I saw the restoration when it was playing at the Film Forum here in New York City. As I settled into my seat, I was prepared to find the upgraded Technicolor too garish and I assumed I'd snicker at the out-dated dancing and melodramatic plot. So much for pre-conceived reactions. I was mesmerized and transported in precisely the same way that I had been as a young ballet student when I watched this now-classic movie for the very first time. A high point is the "Red Shoes" ballet itself, with surprisingly sophisticated cinematography, glorious color that intensifies the experience, and a flat-out fabulous performance by none other than Leonide Massine himself. OK, the notion that Moira Shearer's Vicky had to choose between marriage and her ballet career is (fortunately) ancient history but just let yourself be swept up by the plot anyway. It works. One quibble -- and I'm far from the first to mention this -- is that in the final scene prior to the suicide plunge, Vicky is wearing the red shoes right before the performance is scheduled to begin. We've already seen the ballet and we know she starts out in pink shoes. However, in the scene her dresser is standing by holding pink shoes. Since the denouement couldn't happen unless Vicky were wearing the red shoes, my take on this is that she was breaking in or testing the red shoes in the dressing room and was going to change into the pink shoes momentarily. For the record, while I waiting on the subway platform after the film, a charming gentleman who was visiting NYC from Ohio pointed out the plot inconsistency to me when he noticed that I was holding the Film Forum playbill. I gave him my rationale for that scene but he wasn't entirely mollified. Still, for me nothing can taint my pleasure in having had the chance once again to see "The Red Shoes," now looking better than ever after its facelift. I was happily teary-eyed from the moment Lermantov asks Vicky "Why do you want to dance?" and she responds without hesitation "Why do you want to live?" The DVD of the restoration is not yet available on Amazon in the US but you can order it from Amazon.uk here.

"The Children of Theatre Street: The Story of the Kirov Ballet School" This timelessly satisfying film offers an intimate look at the training and the lives of the chosen children who attended the world-renowned Russian ballet boarding school that was state-supported before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The school, which now accepts tuition-paying foreigners, is currently called the Vaganova Ballet Academy. I still get goose bumps during the scene in the documentary when the children who have just been accepted after a rigorous audition run down the spiral staircase. The background music is the "Garland Dance" from "Sleeping Beauty" and Princess Grace begins by saying, "For the rest of their lives . . ." What a moment! Be prepared for wonderful footage of St. Petersburg, the theater, and the studios as well as a captivating story line involving a young girl and boy at the beginning of their training and a teen about to graduate into the company.   Here's the Amazon link.

"Ballet Russes" Diaghilev's troupe transformed the ballet world during its storied tenure from 1909 to 1929. Centennial celebrations that began last year continue around the globe. You'll see why when you watch this superb blending of rare footage and on-camera reminiscences by some of the true greats of ballet. My personal favorite is Nathalie Krassovka, who died in February of 2005 just before the documentary's release. In the film, at the age of 87, she is adorably flirtatious, decidedly glamorous, and unflaggingly passionate about our art. I was also captivated by Frederick Franklin who, thank goodness, is still among us at 96 and performing character roles with ABT. Here's the link to Video on Demand at Amazon where you can rent or buy the DVD.

"La Danse: Le Ballet de L'Opera de Paris" I saw this one at the Film Forum in NYC also. The good news: You get a real behind-the-scenes look at the workings of one of the world's great ballet companies at a time when fundraising and marketing are becoming increasingly necessary for artistic organizations that once relied solely on government support. (At one point, a development person suggests Lehman Brothers as patrons. Oops!) The not-so-good news: Wiseman was overly fascinated by the Paris Opera Ballet's foray into contemporary works and as a result he all but eschewed the classical repertoire. We get a glimpse of Nureyev's "Casse Noisette" but that choreography has long since been pretty much universally skewered. We also see snatches of "Paquita" in rehearsal and performance. For the most part, though, the film is dominated by scenes such as the one in which Medea, in Angelin Preljocaj's work, pours buckets of her dead children's blood on herself and walks away leaving the kids lifeless in the resulting puddles. Ew! This isn't just me being more of a ballet person than a modern person. Even Alastair McCaulay of The New York Times was turned off by that scene and many others. Still, the technical level of the dancing is unsurpassed, the administrative goings-on are fascinating, and the shots of Paris are gorgeous. The DVD isn't out yet but here's where you can ask to be notified about the release.  

Why not break out the popcorn and host a ballet fest right in your own home or studio? Enjoy!

Sondra

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