Rudolf Nureyev Biography [VHS] Overview
Patricia Foy's absorbing documentary
Rudolf Nureyev, a portrait of surely the most committed and versatile dancer in the history of ballet, was made in 1991, two years before his death. It is as much the study of a life apart as a profile of a tireless jet-setting artist. His career took him from a poverty-stricken provincial childhood to life as a student at the Kirov, through defection to the West in 1961 and on to the great classical roles on the world's most famous stages, a sublime professional partnership with Margot Fonteyn, and a fascinating evolution as a supreme exponent of modern dance. A rich cast of assembled contributors sheds light on his mercurial character, artistic intelligence, and unexpected charm. Best of all, though, is the extended archive footage, which testifies to his extraordinary athleticism and sheer grace. Never has the human form looked so fluid in motion.
--Piers Ford, Amazon.co.uk
Customer Reviews
Rudolf Nureyev story of his life would be a good biopic, along the lines of Billy Elliot: a poor ignorant boy will Tartars a late start in ballet, but through the absolute determination is a big star. He defects to the West, and becomes an even bigger star.
Patricia Foy is rather short (90 minutes) documentary (documentary as their partner's most famous Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn) is discreet, respectful, and focused primarily on working life Nureyev. The interviews with Nureyev himself, hisRussian teachers at the Kirov and Margot Fonteyn light on his incredible career. These fascinating recordings from a young Nureyev danced for the Kirov, and extended clips from Fonteyn and Nureyev early legendary performances of Giselle. You can understand why their partnership was known, despair the age difference (19 years) and differences in education, seemed to really dance like Nureyev Said, with "one body, one soul." My favorite was a funny clip "pas de deux with Miss Piggyfrom the Muppets Show. It shows a lighter side of Nureyev and, of course, is precisely the divine Miss Piggy in a Tutu is good, God.
Nureyev was a controversial figure, which was - vibrant, sophisticated, extravagant, ruthless and dedicated to his art, joined co-star with his head, administration, and an entire Ballet (Ballet of the Paris Opera, which ran with an iron hand). He had many lovers (including a long relationship with Erik Bruhn), and his life behind the scenes is not usuallydiscussed here in the filming of his return to Russia in 1988. Her dance could irregular and sometimes arrogant criticism of his "unfinished technology. Foy did not touch the controversy in the life of Nureyev, and perhaps this is a positive development because the interviews do not cover Nureyev to heat and radiation, and the preference of people who knew him. There are some nice contributions by Natalia Dudlinskaya Nureyev was the first partner. Sometimes a bit 'Reverence and respect for privacy is a good thing, in my opinion.
Nureyev in interviews is visibly tired, but eloquent, and a few years later we discovered why: After a brave fight, died of AIDS in 1993. Thus, Foy documentary takes on an explosive extra. To see Nureyev Warm-up at the bar, feet gnarled by years of dance without end, his body is haggard and old, uncomfortable and unforgettable.
Related Products
Posts
