Ballerina films and shows are never exhausted in the glut of mesmerizing features worth an hour or two screen time. Quite recently, Netflix introduced its over 200 million subscribers to the Archer School of Ballet in ‘Tiny Pretty Things’, where a cluster of Ballerina students play each other to secure first place on the main stage. Their dance struggles are met with disturbing investigations that concern colleague student Cassie Shore, pushed off the roof of the building by a mysterious character. Like most ballet-centric shows and films we have seen over the years, the ballet moves cloud the ridiculous side dramas, making it a masterful piece.
For this week’s weekend watchlist, we have aligned six exceptional movie titles alongside ‘Tiny Pretty Things’ to consciously discharge your hidden interest for the artistic dance, Ballet.
In a season where we are mostly stationed at home (looking at you COVID-19), some one or two steps could be handpicked for a later mission.
FILMS
‘Black Swan’
Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Synopsis: Nina, a ballerina, gets the chance to play the White Swan, Princess Odette. But she finds herself slipping into madness when Thomas, the artistic director, decides that Lily might fit the role better.
Available to watch: Amazon Prime Video
‘Girl’
Cast: Victor Polster, Oliver Bodart, Arieh Worthalter
Director: Lucas Dhont
Synopsis: Lara, a 15-year-old girl who was born in a boy’s body, is committed to becoming a professional ballerina.
Available to watch: Netflix
‘Suspiria’
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Jessica Harper, Mia Goth
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Synopsis: Young American dancer Susie Bannion arrives in 1970s Berlin to audition for the world-renowned Helena Markos Dance Co. When she vaults to the role of lead dancer, the woman she replaces breaks down and accuses the company’s female directors of witchcraft. Meanwhile, an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe uncover dark and sinister secrets as they probe the depths of the studio’s hidden underground chambers.
Available to watch: Amazon Prime Video
‘Mao’s Last Dancer’
Cast: Chi Cao, Amanda Schull, Bruce Greenwood
Director: Bruce Beresford
Synopsis: The ballet life of Li Cunxin begins when he 11, taken from his peasant family in rural China to train in Beijing, and he defects to the United States as a cultural exchange student as a young man.
Available to watch: Amazon Prime Video
‘Center Stage’
Cast: Ethan Stiefel, Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Synopsis: A group of teens from various backgrounds enroll at a dance academy to make it as ballet dancers. With their futures on the line, conflicts result in jealous backstabbing and heartbreak.
Available to watch: Amazon Prime Video
‘Dance Academy: The Comeback‘
Cast: Xenia Goodwin, Jordan Rodriguez, Alicia Banit
Director: Jeffrey Walker
Synopsis: Former ballet student Tara Webster longs to return to her dreams after a devastating injury leaves her unable to dance.
Available to watch: Netflix
TV SHOW
‘Tiny Pretty Things’
Cast: Kylie Jefferson, Lauren Holly, Casimere Jollette
Creator: Michael MacLennan
Synopsis: After an attack brings down the star student at a ballet school, her replacement enters a world of lies, betrayal and cutthroat competition.
Available to watch: Netflix
