Portrait of the world-renowned French ballerina Sylvie Guillem, who joined the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera when she was just fifteen.
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 world's 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 Guillem's remarkable talent, career and personality.
Featuring interviews with Sylvie Guillem, Maurice Béjart, Mats Ek, John Percival (The Times), Anthony Russell-Roberts (The Royal Ballet), Ghislaine Thesmar (Paris Opera Ballet), Clement Crisp (The Financial Times).
Excerpts from:
- Episodes, Maurice Béjart – With Laurent Hilaire
- Swan Lake, Marius Petipa – With Jonathan Cope and the Kirov Ballet
- In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, William Forsythe – With Laurent Hilaire
- Sissi, Maurice Béjart
- Manon, Kenneth MacMillan – With Zoltán Solymosi
- Wet Woman, Mats Ek
