Sylvie Guilleme - At Work & Portrait

AT WORK

Sylvie Guillem joined the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera when she was just fifteen and earned the distinction of Prima Ballerina within a mere four years. At the age of nineteen, she became an étoile in Nureyevs Swan Lake. It shows her dedication to perfection, but also reveals that her meteoric rise to the pinnacle of her profession has left her refreshingly unspoilt. This film shows the prima ballerina in her daily round of classes, rehearsals and performances, revealing her dedication to perfection. Guillems preparation for Nureyevs Raymonda, her first performances in Rudi van Dantzigs Four Last Songs and William Forsythes In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, and her appearance at a gala, dancing Béjarts La Luna, are all recorded for posterity in this film.
 

PORTRAIT

Sylvie Guillem is a dance superstar whose breathtaking technique ranks her beside the likes of Nureyev and Baryshnikov. She rarely agrees to interviews but co-operated fully with director Nigel Wattis for this profile. The programme centres on film of Guillem rehearsing and performing a range of pieces, both contemporary and classical, which display her astonishing virtuosity. Guillem talks about her work with some of the worlds most interesting and acclaimed choreographers. Her sharp intelligence and intimate knowledge of their work, as well as her insights into the world of dance, are fascinating and informative. Maurice Béjart, Mats Ek, Anthony Dowell and critics John Percival and Clement Crisp are among the contributors who discuss Ms Guillems remarkable talent, career and personality.

Language: English
Subtitles: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1