The Netflix Binge List for Real Dancers
July 19, 2015
Summer is in full swing. And though I’m all for beach days and road trips, I’m starting to long for some dancing. Though there are some exceptions, summer is usually slow season for performances. But that gives us all the more time to catch up on our favorite dancing on screen. Here are some titles that you can start Netflixing now.
“Five Dances”
The story isn’t extraordinary: A talented dancer moves from Kansas to New York. But the dancers are. Broadway’s Ryan Steele and former Aszure Barton dancer Reed Luplau star in this film.
“Ballet 422”
This non-narrated documentary has few interruptions. What you get: A natural look at how Justin Peck constructed his Paz de la Jolla for New York City Ballet. It was the company’s 422nd work.
“Gotta Dance”
This 2008 documentary about a senior citizen New Jersey Nets dance team has inspired a Broadway show, directed by Jerry Mitchell, which is expected to head to the Great White Way this coming season.
“First Position”
If for some reason you haven’t already seen this documentary that follows six fiercely talented young dancers competing at the Youth American Grand Prix, it should be the first on your list. Because the film is four years old, it’s fun to look back at dancers like Michaela DePrince and Miko Fogarty, who are now dancing at Dutch National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, respectively.
“Ballerina”
This 2006 documentary follows five Mariinsky greats: Diana Vishneva, Svetlana Zakharova, Ulyana Lopatkina, Alina Somova and Evgenia Obraztsova.
“Pina”
A beautiful tribute to choreographer Pina Bausch, this film mixes performance clips of her works with her choreography performed in natural spaces. I think Pina would have been proud.
“The Turning Point”
Mikhail Baryshnikov and Shirley MacLaine? Of course those names make this, perhaps, the most famous dance movie ever made.
