Dancing history

KATHARINE HAMER EDITOR

In three separate incarnations, the Ballets Russes was the breeding ground for some of the greatest dancers, choreographers, musicians and visual artists of the 20th century. Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Massine, Matisse, Balanchine, Markova ... all were deeply involved in the company's productions.

In the documentary Ballets Russes, which screens in Vancouver this week, directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine have collected archival footage and interviews with surviving members of the company – many in their 80s and 90s – to tell a fascinating story.

The first Ballets Russes was established in Paris in 1909 under the guidance of dance impresario Sergei Diaghilev. After Diaghilev's death in 1929, the company was regrouped by promoters Col. Wassily de Basil and Réné Blum. Following a rift, Blum and choreographer Leonide Massine established their own company, the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. De Basil's corps remained "The Original Ballets Russes."

Geller and Goldfine have pieced together the tempestuous tale of the artists involved: a tale that stretches from prewar Paris to long sojourns in South America and crisscrossing tours of the United States by train. In many places Massine's company performed, audiences had never seen ballet before – and had no idea what to make of surrealist sets by Salvador Dali. "There was an enormous fish on the stage," recalls dancer Freddie Franklin with glee.

At the centre of the film are chatty interviews with the still-glamorous dancers, most of whom continue to teach their craft to a new generation. When they are all gathered at a reunion in New Orleans – many haven't seen each other for 40 years – there is much oohing and aahing.

Ballets Russes screens at the Vancouver International Film Centre, 1181 Seymour St., Jan. 20-26. Tickets are $7.50-$9.50. For times, visit www.vifc.org.

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