La Danse: The Paris Ballet Opera DVD, 2009

A rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous and revered ballet schools in the world. Wiseman's signature vérité style immerse the viewer in the world of the dancers and their performances.

Frederick Wiseman’s entrancing La Danse will make balletomanes out of every viewer. Using his signature vérité style he films behind the scenes of the Opéra de Paris as they rehearse for extraordinary interpretations of The Nutcracker and Paquita. Wiseman shrewdly allows the audience to become immersed in the action, using neither voiceover nor captions to set each scene, yet a knowledge of ballet is not essential to appreciate the remarkable performances from the dancers – the bloodbath of Angelin Preljocaj’s Le Songe de Médée, one of the highlights of the film, needs little backstory for its visceral effect. Wiseman also follows the costumiers behind the scenes, whose intricate work leads to spectacular visual results.

The Opéra is not immune from the recession, and in a sadly ironic moment the company welcome potential benefactors from America – including representatives from Lehman Brothers, who were declared bankrupt themselves shortly after the film was made. The ephemeral nature of the profession is also depicted - few dancers continue after the age of 40. Yet when the ballets are performed and the magic is revealed, you can see why so many choose to follow this precarious and unique profession.

MovieMail on 1st July 2010
View all 91 of MovieMail's reviews