FAB’s Top Ballet Films
It’s been almost two months since distancing began, and it’s safe to say our movie lists are slowly dwindling down. We’ve collated some of our favourite ballet-themed movies and documentaries into this list to make sure our Friends get their ballet-fix!
This list is in no particular order, as we couldn’t bear to rank them!
Centre Stage (2000)
‘Centre Stage’ – Columbia Pictures
Ballet’s not all turns and tutus. Follow the new students of the American Ballet Academy as they face the challenges and setbacks of making it in the ballet world. One doesn’t have the ‘body.’ The other has a poor ‘attitude.’ And another lacks the ‘heart.’
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb1oUDMxHvE
Watch on Youtube or Google Play from $3.99.
Stream on Netflix
Mao’s Last Dancer (2009)
‘Mao’s Last Dancer – Samuel Goldwyn Films
Growing up in Maoist China, Li Cunxin never challenged or dared questioned his world. At 11, he was chosen by the state to move to Bejing and train as a ballet dancer. But when sent to an American Ballet Summer School, this facade begins to shatter.
Bonus points for this film as the Friends ran the Sydney premiere! Also, Australian Ballet’s own Chengwu Guo acts as teen Li Cunxin!
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy7f5DMPJAU
Watch on Youtube or Google Play from $3.99.
Stream on Stan
White Nights (1985)
‘White Nights’ – Columbia Pictures
Kolya Rodchenko, a defective Russian ballet dancer is forced to return to his homeland after being discovered. The KBG intend for him to return to the Kirvov Academy of Ballet, but after he befriends an American expat, he can’t give up on his dreams of freedom and escape.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHpKeRSLnF8
Watch on Youtube or Google Play from $3.99.
Billy Elliot (2000)
“Billy Elliot” – Universal Pictures
Set in the 1984 UK miner’s strike, follow little Billy Elliot as he tries his hardest to follow his passion for dance and his dream to become a professional ballet dancer. However, ‘ballet’ just isn’t what 11-year-old boys should do.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g1YvKDdIfc
Watch on Youtube or Google Play for $3.99.
Black Swan (2010)
“Black Swan” – Fox Searchlight Pictures
Nina achieves the dream of all ballerinas – she is cast as the White Swan, Princess Odette. However, when the artistic director decides others may suit the role better, she slips slowly into madness.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bs
Watch on Youtube or Google Play for $4.99.
The Red Shoes (1948)
“The Red Shoes” – General Film Distributors
An oldie but a goodie, Victoria Page is torn between her passion with dance and her passionate love with a young composer. With her life mirroring her character in the ballet, Victoria may be dancing to her death.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRV6LPtRUyc
Watch now on SBS: On Demand
The White Crow (2019)
“The White Crow” – BBC Films
Rudolf Nureyev travels to Paris to further and fulfill his dream to become a professional ballet dancer. However, resistance from KGB officers put this dream, as well as Rudolf’s life, in a dangerous situation.
Some of our members attended screenings for ‘The White Crow’ last year, but it’s definitely one to re-watch!
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BklqjGWxNMs
Watch on Youtube or Google Play for $5.99.
A Ballerina’s Tale – Misty Copeland (2015)
“A Ballerina’s Tale” – Sundance Selects
Ballet was all about fitting the ‘mold.’ Until Misty Copeland pirouette’d it all upside-down. From starting ballet ‘late’ at 13, to not having the “ideal” body type, and finally, to being the FIRST African-American Principal Ballerina at ABT. Follow Misty’s tale in this documentary about her story!
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y2h6fz2XzQ
Watch on Youtube or Google Play for $5.99.
Bolshoi Babylon (2016)
“Bolshoi Babylon” – Altitude Film Distribution
Seeking to uncover answers and secrets about the scandal surrounding the Bolshoi Theatre’s acid attacks in 2013, this documentary takes you behind the curtain like never before, documenting the extraordinary artistic and athletic talents of ballerina’s and the ruthlessness of the ballet world.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TK8uth06SQ&t=6s
Watch on Amazon Prime for $4.99
Girl (2018)
“Girl” – Lukas Dhont
It’s no secret the professional ballet world is tough. But for Lara, a 15-year-old girl born in a boy’s body, it’s just that little bit tougher.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdzu26tnUTc
Watch on Youtube or Google Play for $5.99.
The Company (2003)
“The Company” – Sony Pictures Classic
Ry, an aspiring ballerina struggles with balancing the demands of being a dancer and her new relationship with Josh, who isn’t from her insular world. Featuring the actual Joffrey company, take a look into the lives of those in The Company.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6rlWpWRPVU
Watch on Amazon Prime for $3.99
Dancer – Sergei Polunin Documentary (2016)
“Dancer” – Steven Cantor
He’s the “bad boy of ballet.” Follow the Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal dancer at age 19, Sergei Polunin, and understand how he walked away from it all, only two years later.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXsP-AAL-7M
Watch on Youtube or Google Play from $5.99.
First Position (2011)
“First Position” – First Production Films
Follow six young dancers aged 9-19 prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, competing for the place at an elite ballet company or school.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmiBXdBNIXE
Watch on Amazon for $3.99
These last two are for the kids!
(Because school nights can be movie nights… right?)
Ballerina/Leap! (2012)
“Ballerina” – Entertainment One
An orphan girl dreams of becoming a ballerina, assuming a new identity to become a pupil at the Grand Opera House in Paris.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a166o4om9OA
Watch on Foxtel Go or Youtube/Google Play from $12.99
Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
“Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses” – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Princess Genevieve and her eleven sisters have discovered a magical world through dance, allowing them to understand the strength of imagination and creativity. Can they save their father’s kingdom in time?
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFMnqIz51g
Watch on Stan or Youtube/Google Play from $3.99.
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Happy Watching!