Mother Cinderella

Offering a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the Israeli Ballet Company's production of Cinderella on a tour of Beijing and other Chinese cities--contending with unheated buildings, rehearsal jitters, last minute casting changes, the language difference, and the occasional bruise and sprain--Mother Cinderella focuses on Orna, a twentysomething dancer married to one of the producers, who plays the title role but confides to friends (and the camera) that she would prefer the real life role of mother. Should she take time off to have a baby, even though it may compromise her career? Berta, a middle-aged former dancer, runs the troupe with wisecracks and a firm but fair hand, while other dancers whirl by to air their gripes, hopes, and fears to the camera. Unfortunately, it's difficult to distinguish one performer from another (since they're generally photographed in costume), the dialogue is in English and Hebrew with constantly alternating on and off subtitles that make for a major distraction, and the background music blots out much of the dialogue anyway. Although the dance scenes are well presented, the video fails to build much interest or narrative drive (the documentary concludes with Orna back in Tel Aviv, happy, and several months into her pregnancy, which is neither surprising nor particularly interesting). Even ballet buffs might find it a bit of a chore to sit through this title, which is definitely marginal for dance collections, and not a necessary purchase for others. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)