Ballets Russes

Sergei Diaghilev defined modern ballet with his Ballets Russes, a European-based company that catapulted dancers to international fame. When he died in 1929, two rival companies rushed to capitalize on the name: Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, under the aegis of Leonide Massine, and the Original Ballet Russe headed by Col. Wassily de Basil—talk about branding! Narrated by Marian Seldes, Ballets Russes tells the story of these two companies, framed by a remarkable reunion of dancers from both troupes, including two of George Balanchine's “Baby Ballerinas,” Tatiana Riabouchinska and Irina Baronova; Native Americans Maria Tallchief and Yvonne Chouteau; Raven Wilkinson, the first African-American woman hired by a major company; Dame Alicia Markova; and Broadway star Marc Platt. Vibrant, engaged, and artistically involved, their stories alone would make a fine feature film, but in addition filmmakers Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller make brilliant use of archival footage to tell the story of 20th-century dance, as the featured companies spread out through Europe, the United States, and South America, vying for artists and audiences (the film features highlights of representative performances over the years). Throughout, Balanchine surfaces, recedes, and reemerges as one of the key figures in the history of dance. Ballets Russes is a treasure, capturing the dancers and movements in a uniquely narrative way—a film that is both richly entertaining and of serious historical importance. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)