Ever wondered what it would be like to compete in the big international ballet competitions, like the Prix de Lausanne, the Genee International Ballet Competition or the Youth America Grand Prix?
Bess Kargman’s award winning documentary, First Position, gives audiences a taste of what life is like for those who choose this path, following six young dancers as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix.
First Position does not seek to glamorise or sensationalise the lives of these young dancers. “I think there is a lot of misconception about the ballet world, so I made sure to select subjects that I knew would be able to challenge certain stereotypes,” says Kargman. “I wanted to show that not all ballet dancers are rich, not all are white, not all male ballet dancers are gay, not all female ballet dancers are anorexic, and not all stage moms are psycho…etc. Also, few people realise the toll that ballet takes on the body (or that the pain threshold of professional dancers is close to superhuman). I knew that if I could thoroughly document the worlds these dancers inhabit, and the challenges they face on a daily basis, I would be able to craft an extremely unique documentary.”
Kargman is particularly interested in the role that competitions like the Youth American Grand Prix play in accelerating the careers of young dancers. “I… knew that for some youths (especially in this economic climate), winning a scholarship can mean the difference between making it as a dancer or relinquishing a dream,” she remarks. The film is not simply about following the competition, however. “I feared that if I solely relied on outcome (who wins) I would be risking the entire project on factors I had no control over,” explains Kargman. “So I selected subjects whose personal stories were so compelling that even if everyone tanked, the audience would still leave the theater feeling moved and inspired by a group of extraordinary dancers who, at such a young age, have devoted their lives to ballet.”
First Position opens April 11 at cinemas around the country (see list of venues below). Dance Australia has 15 double passes to give away to First Position - find out how you can win one of them here.
NSW
Palace Verona
Dendy Newtown
Dendy Opera Quays
Hayden Orpheum
Roseville
ACT
Gu Manuka
Palace Electric
VIC
Nova
Rivoli
Kino
Palace Como
Palace Brighton Bay
Sun Theatre Yarraville
TAS
State Hobart
QLD
Palace Centro
Regal Graceville
SA
Palace Eastend
WA
Cinema Paradiso
Windsor