Young dancers take the hard road in First Position
If you think your child wants to become a professional dancer then don't let them see this film.
First Position
Director Bess Kargman
If you think your child wants to become a professional dancer then don’t let them see this 2011 film. If they seem happy in the knowledge that the ballet world is some fairytale land of tutus and happy people, you probably shouldn’t take them either.
First Position is a documentary that follows a group of young dancers as they compete in the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions. Each year hundreds compete for just a few scholarships and contracts.
Most of the six hopefuls aged 10-16 the film follows end up with prizes, so the filmmakers must have had an idea as to who was likely to win.
The young dancers and their parents put their lives on hold as they prepare for the various performances as we experience their dedication, hard work, anxieties and exhilaration.
The six represent a cross-section of interesting backgrounds including an American/Japanese brother and sister, a war orphan from Sierra Leone adopted by an elderly couple, an 11 year old who lives in southern Italy where is father is a serviceman, a 16-year-old Columbian and a young, pink-obsessed standard US teenager.
Each is remarkably talented but we also see the assistance, pressure and inspiration given them by their parents and siblings, teachers and dance professionals.
At times it is like a child fantasy movie about the youth overcoming adversity and braving the surreal world of adults. But it's not, although much of the film has a surreal quality to it as we see ordinary young kids setting themselves incredible goals and achieving them.
The film is also an insight into how careers are made through a mixture of inspiration, education, hard work and occasional good luck.
John Daly-Peoples
Tue, 23 Apr 2013
Tue, 23 Apr 2013
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Young dancers take the hard road in First Position
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