Dance on Camera Festival
The Dance on Camera Festival held yearly at the Walter Reade Theatre, at Lincoln Center co-sponsored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, was held in January, 2008 with contributions from Denmark, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, Spain, Sweden, China and France as well as other countries. Subjects ranged from Russia’s “Spartacus, (1975) in restored footage performed by former stars Vladimir Vasilyev, Natalia Bessmertnova and Maris Liepa, to humorous films and animation.
Another rare contribution was a film made by Ludovic Kennedy at the instigation of Anton Dolin, “Sleeping Ballerina” about the career of Olga Spessiztseva (1895-1991), a great ballerina who was afflicted by a mental disease. Portions of an affectionate contribution concerning Felia Doubrovska, former member of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes, was offered for the many who would remember her as a teacher at the School of American Ballet.
The Brainskys
On a more cheerful note, “Happy to Be So,” created by Yelena Demikovsky, was about Belgian-born Oleg Briansky and his French wife, Mireille Briane, who many students know from the Saratoga Ballet School. The school enters its 44th year where they have create an on-going summer program. Briansky, whose career was cut short because of the early onset of arthritis, was once named “the most exciting male dancer in England.” Both were principal dancers in European companies.
Now living in New York City, the couple founded the on-going Briansky Saratoga Ballet School, where they have created an on-going summer program.
The film recounts their lives in dance using friendly banter, as they recount their lives and contains a considerable amount of performance footage.
The Film Festival travels and presents an informative, historic and rare look at the dance world in all its forms. For more information, contact: Deirdre@DanceFilms.org.