Hi there! Do you have to share some ballet documentaries? I've been really wanting to watch some, but I don't know where to begin.
Great question! There are tons of ballet documentaries and plenty are available for free on youtube and other streaming platforms. Here are just a few of my personal favorites:
The ballet documentary that got me into Russian ballet for the first time is Ballerina (2006). This film is centered around the Mariinsky Ballet and the Vaganova Academy and a bunch of really amazing dancers are interviewed in it, Somova, Obratzova, Zakharova, Vishneva, and Lopatkina!
Ballet 422 is another really interesting documentary. This one follows Justin Peck through the process of creating a new ballet for NYCB. I found watching the creative process to be really fascinating, from rehearsals with dancers to backstage making decisions about lighting and costumes.
Finally, a series on BBC was released called "Agony and Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet". Right now, all that's available to watch is the first episode, but it's free on youtube, and is super fascinating, following the every day realities of a ballet company including casting complications, long rehearsals, and the pressures of debuting new roles. Plus, the first episode follows Daria Klimentova just a few years before her retirement along with Vadim Muntagirov just as he's starting out his career!
