Kevin Spacey on Crucial Impact of the Arts
April 14, 2011
As part of Arts Advocacy Day 2011 in Washington, actor Kevin Spacey gave the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy at the Kennedy Center. Below is an excerpt from his speech, in which he quoted President John F. Kennedy regarding the necessity of the arts. Kennedy said, “There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts…Art is not a form of propaganda. It is a form of truth.”
Spacey also shared his own views, saying, “I genuinely believe that the United States’ preeminence in the arts and creative industries is one of this nation’s most powerful, natural resources.”
Also, check out Kevin Spacey discussing the importance of the arts on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews.
Thanks to Eva Yaa Asantewaa for sharing these videos.
(Final?) Thoughts on Black Swan, and Special Effects Revealed
February 4, 2011
My reflections on Black Swan are in this month’s issue of The Brooklyn Rail, so I hope you’ll check it out along with the other dance articles in the paper.
I’m nearly ready to put Black Swan to rest, but I recently came across the below video that Fox Searchlight just posted, showing how some of the special effects in Black Swan were made. Finally, we see how Natalie Portman pulls that feather out of her back, and what it took for her character to grow wings on stage in one of the final scenes.
Black Swan Reflections on Huffington Post
December 20, 2010
I was interviewed for a Huffington Post article by Jordan Zakarin about “Black Swan” and how it reflects the professional ballet world. After seeing and reviewing the film, it has been interesting to read the plethora of reviews and articles on whether the film accurately portrays the professional ballet environment. I was happy to share some thoughts for Zakarin’s column, and dancer and blogger Taylor Gordon also contributed to the piece. Here’s an excerpt:
“Beginning in early childhood, ballet and contemporary dancers devote their lives to the art. But when they’re not performing, dance is less an art than extreme sport, with often times unrealistic expectations, driving dancers to their physical and mental limits — and beyond. The result, far too often, is a loss of an inner self that so few outsiders can see.” Read more here.
Like this:
DANCING ACROSS BORDERS: Now Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
December 13, 2010
First Run Features is pleased to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of DANCING ACROSS BORDERS, the intimate and triumphant story of Sokvannara “Sy” Sar. In addition to the film, check out the website’s online shop for posters and t-shirts – all perfect gifts for the holidays*. I saw and reviewed this film last March and was incredibly moved by the powerful story of growth, adaptation, and belonging that it told – all within the competitive world of ballet. Watch the trailer below, and scroll down for more info about bonus features.
The DVD and Blu-ray of DANCING ACROSS BORDERS include the following bonus material:
-Recent performance footage of Sokvannara Sar in Mopey, Pacific Northwest Ballet, 2009
-Selected performances from the film, including Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, Square Dance, La Sylphide, Coppelia, La Sonnambula, and On the Other Side
-Interview with Anne Bass, Director
-Photo gallery
*All proceeds from the sale of posters and T-shirts will go directly towards Nginn Karet Foundation for Cambodia‘s “Give a Future to a Child of Angkor” urgent appeal. Your kindness will help children fulfill their dream to follow in the footsteps of dancers and musicians seen on Angkor Wat and other ancient Khmer temples.
Black Swan Opens Today
December 3, 2010
Natalie Portman in "Black Swan", photo: Niko Tavernise/Fox Searchlight Pictures
Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky’s so-called psycho-sexual dance thriller that everyone is talking about, opens today. Below is an excerpt from my review of the film. Go see it.
Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan explores one dancer’s quest for perfection in the cutthroat world of professional ballet, and her terrifying descent into madness, obsession, and self destruction. Natalie Portman’s performance as Nina, who is a rising star preparing for the lead role in Swan Lake, is superb, embodying all of the fragility, uptightness, and vulnerability of a young dancer willing to sacrifice everything – even her own life – for perfection. Read the full review here.
You can also watch the anatomy of a scene, with commentary by Aronofsky, at The New York Times’s site.
