We’re spreading some holiday cheer and making three iconic films available for public streaming. Surround yourself with the world of ballet through American Ballet Theatre: A History and Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance. And of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without the star of White Christmas, so settle in for Bing Crosby Rediscovered.
ABOUT THE FILMS
Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance
Available through December 27, 2016
The story of the first quintessentially American dance company, the Joffrey Ballet. Founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino revolutionized American dance by combining modern with traditional ballet to create a new and daring art form. Using rare archival footage and behind-the-scenes photos, the film illustrates the dynamic trajectory of the groundbreaking company, and shows how the Joffrey Ballet broke barriers by: accepting and cultivating a diverse group of talented dancers regardless of race and body type, integrating pop and rock music scores and art with social commentary, and resurrecting nearly lost early 20th Century masterpieces. They also explain how the company repeatedly resurrected itself after devastating financial and artistic setbacks such as the Rebekah Harkness funding power struggle, National Endowment for the Arts cutbacks, Joffrey’s death, and the move from New York City to Chicago in 1995.
American Ballet Theatre: A History
Available through January 13, 2017
Delving into the rich history of one of the world’s preeminent ballet companies, Ric Burns combines intimate rehearsal footage, virtuoso performances and interviews with American Ballet Theatre’s key figures: artists pivotal to the company’s formation, including Alicia Alonso and the late Donald Saddler and Frederic Franklin; contemporary luminaries, including dancers Susan Jaffe and Julie Kent, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and artistic director Kevin McKenzie; past and present stars Misty Copeland, Gillian Murphy, Marcelo Gomes and Hee Seo; dance historian and author Jennifer Homans; and prominent dance critics Anna Kisselgoff and the late Clive Barnes.
Bing Crosby Rediscovered
Available through January 13, 2017
Bing Crosby was, without doubt, the most popular and influential multi-media star of the first half of the 20th century. For more than three decades, through radio, film, television and records, he reigned supreme. Explore the life and legend of this iconic entertainer through never-before-seen footage and interviews with his immediate family, song writers and Tony Bennett. Narrated by Stanley Tucci, this documentary reveals a man far more complex than his public persona.