La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet 2009

“In La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet, his 36th documentary in more than 40 years, Frederick Wiseman takes his camera into the stately and elegant Palais Garnier in Paris, observing rehearsals, staff meetings and, finally, performances of seven dances, including classics like ‘The Nutcracker’ and spiky new work by younger choreographers. To say that the film, sumptuous in its length and graceful in its rhythm, is a feast for ballet lovers is to state the obvious and also to sell Mr Wiseman’s achievement a bit short. Yes, this is one of the finest dance films ever made, but there’s more to it than that… The substance of Mr Wiseman’s particular genius is the way it transfixes you with the inner workings of an institution you may not otherwise care about.” — A.O. Scott, NY Times

“Like all of his documentaries, La Danse forgoes voiceover and identifying intertitles, allowing for spectators’ full immersion into the action… Roughly two-thirds of La Danse is devoted to rehearsal and performance, shot in deeply satisfying long takes of gorgeous young men and women starting, stopping, listening, questioning, repeating, perfecting. The rest is behind the scenes, and as Wiseman shows empty corridors, the many types of grains available in the cafeteria, sewing rooms, and the nightly clean-up of the 2,200-seat theater, the stealth star of La Danse emerges: Brigitte Lefèvre, the company’s tremendously composed, elegant artistic director. Shown in a meeting discussing the finer distinctions between ‘benefactors’ and ‘big benefactors’… Lefèvre nimbly tackles the potential messiness – but absolute necessity – of crass commerce fueling high art.” — Melissa Anderson, Village Voice

“There's something to be said for the sensuality of celluloid when ingrained with the grace, beauty and vitality of world-class dancers in motion... the sheer quality and captivating nature of Wiseman's film demands that it be seen on the big screen.” — Tim Wong, The Lumiere Reader