Why is it so hard to make a great ballet movie or TV show?
As a former ballet dancer, I'm always looking for the next big ballet movie or television show, and I'm almost always disappointed. Yes, I saw Black Swan and yes, I loved it, but that was years ago. And no, before you even try to suggest Dance Moms, just....no. I can't be the only one who loves a great ballet movie, right? You would think I am, because there are simply not enough quality dance films out there. All too often, the portrayals of dancers on the big and small screen are woefully unrealistic and completely, unnecessarily over dramatic.
The last great ballet-related movie I saw was a wonderful documentary on Netflix (streaming, yay) called First Position. The film followed several young dancers who were training for the Youth America Grand Prix. If you're familiar with the world of dance, you know that the Grand Prix is huge. Winning there could put a dancer on a fast track to greatness. I loved watching a movie about dance that also starred real dancers. Now, Netflix seems to think that because I loved First Position I'll also like Honey 2. Seriously? I'll stick to my favorite ballet movies: The Company, Center Stage and The Turning Point. I know what you're thinking. I'm totally aware that the acting in The Turning Point is completely over-the-top, and I don't care. I love it anyway.
Ballet-related TV shows are hard to come by (great ones). Last year, the CW debuted a new reality series, Breaking Pointe. I was skeptical at first, but I have to say, as a former dancer they nailed it. I was immediately caught up in the drama at Salt Lake City's esteemed Ballet West. Here's hoping we get a second season soon, otherwise I'm going to have to resort to watching ABC Family's Bunheads, and I'm a bit older than the target demographic for that one.
One potentially interesting tidbit of news: Starz is planning a new ballet drama. At this point, we don't know a title, but we do know that the show will follow a ballet dancer "with a troubled past" who joins a New York City company. Lawrence Bender is one of the producers, and apparently (I did not know this) he's a former dancer. Several other big names attached to the project also have dance ties, so I'm hopeful that they'll use some real dancers on the show.
Anyone else addicted to truly great ballet movies and/or TV shows? If you have a favorite, please feel free to share. I'm always looking for my next fix.
Photo courtesy of CinemaArtsCentre.org