Author Archives: balletdoc
First Position Makes the Press (Read More)
Scroll down for a look at First Position being talked about by your favorite news sources!
Read moreReview: Los Angeles Times – ‘Children in Love with Ballet in First Position’
“As directed by Bess Kargman, “First Position” is in part the latest wrinkle in a documentary sub-genre that’s proved wildly popular. Combine eager youngsters with the elixir of competition and, whether it’s spelling bee rivals in “Spellbound” or recreational dancers in “Mad Hot Ballroom,” you have a formula for maximum audience engagement.” See full article
Read morePBS NewsHour: In ‘First Position,’ Ballet Behind the Scenes
Video Interview with Bess Kargman http://video.pbs.org/video/2236176603
Read moreTeen Vogue: Defying Gravity: Teen Ballerina Michaela Deprince
“Refusing to be held back by a nightmarish past or ugly stereotypes, teen ballerina Michaela DePrince is ready to soar.” See full article and Behind the Scenes with Michaela at TeenVogue!
Read moreReview: Vulture – “Ballet Doc is Light on its Feet”
The kids who have it hard in Bess Kargman’s grueling/magical documentary First Position have chosen (or been thrust into) one of civilization’s most unnatural modes of expression: ballet, in which bodies are wrenched and twisted and molded to do what bodies weren’t designed to do — and in the process to enlarge our sense of [...]
Read moreReview: New York Times – “Fledgling Ballerinas, Just Learning to Fly”
““Growing up, this was always a film I wished existed,” Ms. Kargman said from Los Angeles, one of many stops where she is promoting the movie. A native of Brookline, Mass., she studied ballet intensively at Boston Ballet as a child — in high school and college she switched to competitive ice hockey — and [...]
Read moreReview: Dance Magazine – “the film’s real appeal is in the backstories”
“First Position, a documentary following exceptional students from their home studios to the 2010 YAGP finals in New York City, not only shows the high-stakes nature of the competition, but the passion that these young dancers have for their art… The performances at YAGP provide a narrative and run the gamut from triumphant to heartbreaking, [...]
Read moreReview: Culture Catch – “Dancing for Their Souls”
“Not since Matthew Diamond’s splendid documentary on Paul Taylor, Dancemaker (1998), has a film honored the essence of Terpsichore, the muse of dance, so well as does First Position.” see full article
Read moreReview: The Women’s International Perspective – An “enthralling” documentary
“Being a ballerina is hard, and filmmaker Bess Kargman artfully builds the tension and suspense as she follows her subjects from their relentless practice schedules to the nerve-wracking stage at the many rounds of the Grand Prix competition… To be so devoted to your art, especially when you are obviously gifted at a young age, [...]
Read moreNews: New York Times – First Position joins Launch PAD initiative
“…Announcing a program to help documentary makers round up product placement money for the marketing and distribution of their wares. The program is called “Launch PAD” — the letters stand for “prints, advertising and distribution.” …The first round of truth-telling documentaries to test the program will include “First Position,” about ballet students; “Undefeated,” about high [...]
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