Classical Art of Ballet (2001)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written and Produced by Béatrice and Patrick Reynier
Piano Music by Michel Mytrovytch
Narrated by Annette Brill
Starring: Véronique Saouter, Sarah Berréby, Charlotte Pavageau

Features:

• The Origins of Classical Ballet
  
• A Glossary of Ballet Terms
  
• Interactive Links for Ballet Positions and Movements
  

Rating: Suitable for All Ages

Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 format.

My Advice: Rent it.

Classical Art of Ballet is intended to introduce young dancers to what it means to study ballet. Such study can be as rewarding as it is grueling and physically demanding, and this two-disc set shows just how wonderful, yet exacting this art truly is.

Classical Art of Ballet contains two discs: Basic Positions and Movements and Advanced Positions and Movements. Basic Positions and Movements begins with the conceit of a young girl named Chloë writing a letter to her ballet instructor, thanking the older woman for all that the young dancer has been able to learn. As she asks questions of her teacher, the answers are provided for the audience, such as a brief look at the history of dance. Viewers are shown the basics of dance, focusing in turn on each area of the body, each area being critical for ballet.

Advanced Positions and Movements takes this instruction further. The idea is that Chloë, the young dancer from the first disc, meets again the ideal ballerina she imagined on the first disc. This time, however, this dancer has appeared in reality to show Chloë the next steps toward becoming a dancer. Viewers learn the traditional dancer’s exercises, barre warm-ups, and then how to jump, turn, and combine steps.

The visuals are as high-quality as you could want. The focus on the dancers’ movements, while clear and instructive, is also attractively staged and lovely. As with ballet itself, there is a combination of style and technical understanding, the melding of art and craft. The transitions from Chloë’s imaginary world to her real life are at times a wee bit abrupt, but that’s as much a function of the storytelling as it is the filming.

The quality of dance rises to meet the challenge set for it by this ambitious set. Saouter and Berreby are of course excellent in their respective roles as dream dancer and ballet teacher—a viewer could not ask for better dancers in these important roles.

The extras are useful in that you have interactive links showing the various movements and the basic positions that comprise all ballet movements. The glossary of ballet terms is also a nice addition, given that much of ballet terminology is French.

Overall, fans of ballet will want to own this disc, even if they aren’t students and don’t plan to be. Families with children around the age of 8 or 9 will also want to have this set, though parents of boys may want to make sure to point out that while the on-screen world is primarily female, that is not true in the world of ballet, where men are plentiful. People who aren’t currently interested in ballet may prefer to watch an actual performance, but on the other hand, this set, while geared toward children, still goes a long way toward showing adults the basics of ballet, aiding appreciation and respect.