FIRST POSITION
USA, 2011
Running Length:
94 minutes
Cast: Miko
Fogarty, Jules Fogarty, Joan Sebastian Zamora, Aran Bell, Michaela DePrince,
Rebecca Houseknetch
Director: Bess Kargman
Cinematography: Nick
Higgins
Reminiscent of Spellbound and last year’s Jig, First
Position follows the formula of these films as it follows a group of young
ballet dancers as they compete for the coveted Youth America.Grand Prix.
One of ballet’s most prestigious competitions, the Grand
Prix puts dancers between the ages of 9 and 18 in front of judges representing
many of the world’s great companies and schools. As well as medals and awards, the prizes include
scholarships and company positions.
The film follows several young hopefuls through their
preparation and competition. The
dancers are at different points in their careers. Aran is just eleven while Rebecca is about to graduate high
school. Joan Sebastian has
travelled from Colombia to New York to pursue his dream and make his family
back home proud. Michaela is an orphan
from Sierra Leone who is determined to dance despite the dance world dismissing
black girls as being too muscular and athletic for ballet. Miko and Jules have a mother whose
dedication to their dancing is almost frightening to watch.
All the dancers are articulate and manage to express how
much ballet means to them, and how much winning a prize in this contest would
mean to them. Alongside the
dancers, we see the parents and teachers and get a sense of the enormous cost
and sacrifice they have to make for their children to follow their dreams.
While there is nothing particularly new or innovative in the
style or structure of the film, it’s engaging. The dancing is beautiful and well shot, even in the
rehearsal studios. The dancers the
director chooses to focus on are talented and personable and it’s easy to root
for their success. The contest
itself gives the film its dramatic focus.
It’s clear the director – one a dancer herself- has a great affection
for and understanding of her subject and this is part of what gives the film
its unique charm.
I saw a ballet movie once. It was terrible. (Comment brought to you by Grumpy Cat. I actually liked it.)
ReplyDelete(Actually, Black Swan makes two.)
It sounds like a film I'd enjoy. Like many young girls I wanted to be a ballet dancer as a child and still dream about being dainty and graceful en pointe on stage, sigh.
ReplyDeleteThey are truly beautiful in their art form.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Ax: Writer's Storm
I really enjoyed First Position -- those young dancers are so inspired and inspiring! it reminds me of Mad Hot Ballroom, only for ballet :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a documentary. It's petty frightening how much money and dedication it takes for a child to be a ballet dancer, or be an Olympic competitor in gymnastics or ice skating. And considering their careers are over around 30, it's hard to understand ... but I guess art is art.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird how ballet movies always manage to sound interesting, even though I"m not into ballet. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at the dedication it takes to reach those height, and I'm sure I would be easily sucked into this movie.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds well crafted and interesting. The first part of the post that caught my eye was a female director.
ReplyDeleteWell reviewed! (And btw, I love your profile picture!)