First Position

2100   

90 minutes

English

Documentary

5 Stars

What are you willing to forfeit to follow your dream? This documentary follows young dancers training for the Youth America Grand Prix competitions which very well will make or break their careers in ballet. Young people from around the world train and compete, and only a few in each category will progress. At stake are medals, scholarships, and possibly jobs. Would you give up your childhood to follow your dream? These kids did, and don't seem to miss it. I know nothing about dance, but I do love to watch it, and I found this documentary to be informative, and well done. Suitable for all ages.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmiBXdBNIXE

Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess

Ballet

1994

69 Minutes

5 Stars

The language of dance. Absolutely stunning. It is the telling of the classic Japanese folk tale of the Moon Princess, who comes to Earth hoping to bring peace, but whose beauty instead feeds jealousy and war. I wasn't so interested in the story, but the dancing and the music were superb. The music is a mixture of traditional Japanese flute and drum combined with modern; minimal costumes and sets; maximal beauty of dancing, and great lighting. If you like ballet, you will enjoy this.

trailer 

Dancing By The Star!

Mao's Last Dancer

English

2010, 117 Minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day seems to be on a run for Biopics. This movie is based on the autobiography of Li Cunxin, a peasant villager taken at age 11 to study ballet in Beijing. From there, he is 'seen' by Ben Stevenson, Director of the Housing Ballet Company, and brought to the US on a temporary Visa. The music ranges from Chinese traditional to Ballet classical; the dancing is breathtaking in its beauty. Li's decision to remain in the US is heartfelt, and sad, and joyous all at once. There are many scenes to bring forth laughs, and a few that bring forth tears.  From the poverty of China in the Cultural Revolution to the excesses of Houston, this is a great movie and a terrific story. 

YouTube Talk

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Have you ever considered how difficult it would be to leave your country, your family, your very language, to pursue your dream? Could you? Would you?