<p>A “small” documentary film likely only to show up at art houses, you don’t have to know a thing about ballet to appreciate it very much as a work of cultural history. Cf., “March of the Penguins,” another documentary that works well, too, if you don’t know a thing about ballet.</p>
<p>Covers the history of the Ballet Russes, both de Basil’s and the Monte Carlo, starting with the disintegration of Dhiagelev’s company and running through the early 1960’s. Lots of intercuts between footage from the 30’s and 40’s and 2000-era interviews, along with Ken Burns-style voiceovers with still photos. </p>
<p>We’d seen it first at a special screening at the LA County Museum of Art about three weeks ago and took D to see it tonight…a small twig on a very large tree she may be but she has a claim to direct ancestry to the Ballet Russes tradition through two different lines. </p>
<p>But as I said, you don’t have to know the difference between a pirouette and a tutu but, if you’re the kind who can watch a movie without an ammunition budget, still enjoy it a lot.</p>
<p>I was surprised that, three weeks after going into public release, it was playing to nearly a full house…we had to take seats in the third row…and a line was already formed for the next show when we got out. Apparently the word of mouth is good…just adding my share.</p>