The Dancer (1994)

Donya Feuer's The Dancer follows the young and gifted student Katja Bjorner through years of intensive training at the Royal Swedish Ballet School, as she develops into an international ballet star. Filmed with an eye toward conveying the physical aspects of dancing, the pain, sweat, and tears, as well as the exquisite beauty, The Dancer captures the fierce determination and struggle that goes into the desire to dance at the highest level. Product Description

Badly flawed ballet film

The director should be internationally condemned for the way this otherwise interesting movie was shot and cut. The camera is always in the way, detracting from the story, adding ridiculous closeups of arms, legs, and noses, cutting away constantly--sometimes every other second--to provide a different view. The jumping around was such that I had to watch the film after an intermission taken every 15 minutes. My head was spinning when the time came to leave the room for a break.

The story is highly predictable for anyone who appreciates ballet. Yes, it's a lot of hard work and pain. Yes, it's interesting to see how ballet shoes are made. Yes, ballet teachers shout and scream a lot. Yes, it's glorious to be in show biz. Yes, interviews with performers usually involve a lot of mumbling and cliches. It all could have been done easily in 45 minutes instead of 90.

Here is a classic example of how not to shoot a movie. Regretably, this style has become highly popular. Some television commercials, for example, can rip your eyeballs out in the apparent attempt to emulate video games. Which is yet another reason to ignore them.

What a shame that this film, with its fine young star, should have been so badly botched. July 30, 2008

the first of great dance movies

This movie always reminded me of training in new york for my career on stage. The focus was more on the music than on the dancing July 6, 2007

Awesome "behind the scenes" dance documentary

I would recommend "The Dancer" ("Dansaren" in Swedish) to anyone interested in dance of any kind, not just ballet. There is so much to be appreciated in terms of the work, dedication and emotion that accompanies one's effort to succeed as a professional ballerina, and this DVD goes a long way toward conveying all these things to the viewer.

Katja Bjorner is the focal point of this documentary, as she can be seen practicing (so hard!) to get into form prior to a performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Swedish Ballet. Many of us know of the countless hours of physical duress involved in preparing to become a dancer with a national dance company. In this film we see in her face, her feet, and practically every one of her muscles, how Ms. Bjorner strains to hardwire the beauty and grace of the dance into her body.

What I really liked about this film is that, rather than straight narration, some behind the scenes dialogue is brought out nicely through friendly chats with famous Swedish actor Erland Josephson, who may be playing the part of interviewer, but who seems truly intrigued and curious about many aspects of Ms. Bjorner's aspirations and stage persona. He poses questions, and she takes care to describe all the elements and dance roles she needs to master in auditioning for the big show. The documentary generally rotates through instruction, conversation, classes (boys and girls) and performance. Check out the SLOPED dance floor in the ballet school, which is noted during conversation by Mr. Josephson. The numerous scenes filmed in dance classes feature noteworthy ballet masters Valentina Savina, Michael Messerer and Aleksander Khmelnitski. [Listen to Ms. Savina switching between Russian, Spanish and English during her classes! FYI, no subtitles during the classroom scenes; they aren't needed].

There is also a VERY interesting segment which is filmed in the factory of Freed of London, perhaps the world's foremost designer/maker of ballet shoes. Here we gain insight into the intense labor and skill involved in making ballet shoes; see how meticulous are the ballerinas in working with the designers to fashion a shoe that is perfect for the girls' foot shape, weight distribution, and balance. It's great work . . . on both sides of the camera.

The final chapter is captivating, with footage alternating between Ms. Bjorner's on-stage performance, and her after-the-show animated account of what she was sensing when the spotlight was on her dancing. Then Ms. Savina comes backstage and gushes some well deserved praise.

Get this, you'll like it. June 5, 2007

A Dancer's Life

Katja Bjorner's dedication to ballet is revealed in a personal profile directed by Donya Feurer. Her tenacity is ever present during the vigorous training sessions where nothing less than perfection is acceptable.

Still, in this world of strict regimens, there is an undercurrent of elation as the dancers start to realize their dreams. The teachers express a warmth and patience that reveals they must truly believe in their student's ability to excel beyond expectation.

One of the highly intriguing aspects of this sensitive portrait is how the ballet shoes are created. While dance itself is portrayed with exquisite beauty, the life behind the scenes is captured with equal clarity. The Dancer reveals the life of a ballet student from every angle, except having a personal life or friends outside of class seems completely absent.

The dedication it takes to reach the desired level of perfection sweeps everything aside in favor of an art form that brings breathless beauty to the stage.

~The Rebecca Review
February 17, 2007

A visual documentary ; little dialog

I truly enjoyed this documentary. The work and dedication that dancers need is shown in a wonderful light. I was very interested in the short clips of the pointe shoe making process.

A great DVD to add to your collection! September 17, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...