Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq
Directed by Nancy Buirski
Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq
George Balanchine
Buirski (The Loving Story) brings to the screen the magnificent and tragic story of Tanaquil Le Clercq. Of the great ballerinas, Le Clercq may have been the most transcendent, mesmerizing viewers and choreographers alike. Because of her extraordinary movement and unique personality on stage, she became a muse to two of the greatest choreographers in dance, George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. She had love, fame, adoration, and was the foremost dancer of her day until it suddenly all stopped. At the age of 27, she was struck down by polio and paralyzed. She never danced again. The ballet world has been haunted by her story ever since.
With a soul-stirring soundtrack and exquisite visuals, this is a story of how one woman passionately influenced an entire art form. Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq is a frighteningly real, gracefully candid portrait of an artist. Rarely has a film revealed such a dramatic experience on such an intimate scale.
Reviews
A woman of indomitable will who was determined to enjoy her existence despite the disease, Le Clercq made an independent life for herself that included traveling to Europe with friends and teaching at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded by former dance partner Arthur Mitchell. After she and Balanchine divorced in 1969, she lived alone for the rest of her life, which this fine documentary makes you feel is very much the way she wanted it." Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
"It is almost as though you are beholding mythological deities who have alighted briefly on the earth....one of the great ballerinas of the 20th century." - Stephen Holden, New York Times
"Classical dance great Jacques d'Amboise calls Tanaquil LeClercq's style a 'path to heaven.' And this lovely documentary by Nancy Buirski makes it clear that he's right." - Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
"CRITICS' PICK." - Stephanie Zacharek, Village Voice
"3.5 stars. Mesmerizing, beautifully crafted." - Godfrey Cheshire, RogerEbert.com
"With its extraordinary footage and a story replete with tragic ironies, Nancy Buirski's documentary on famed prima ballerina Tanaquil Le Clercq often soars" - Variety
"A richly-layered film that measures up to its subject's own grace and complexity" - Indiewire
Click here to learn more at Kino Lorber Edu. Interested in bringing Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq to your school or library? If you'd like to have an in-class viewing, on-campus screening, or purchase the DVD for your library's collection, please visit our site or contact Estelle Grosso at EDU@kinolorber.com or call (212) 629-6880 with your request.
To read more about Kino Lorber Edu's terms of use and ordering information, visit Kino Lorber Edu.
@GhopperFilm' @TheFilmStage'' @strandreleasing'' @KimStimFilms'' @OscopeLabs'' @Film_Movement'' @IFCFilms'' @neonrated…'' https://t.co/psq8A0gqNl'
RT' @IndieWire': #IdentifyingFeatures Review: An Artful New Perspective on the Mexican Migrant Crisis' https://t.co/OLkiSNeOPj'' https://t.co/a7…'
RT' @StampShelley': An important reminder from Lois Weber's SENSATION SEEKERS. (Out soon from' @KinoLorber' with commentary by yours truly.) h…
RT' @AFISilver': IDENTIFYING FEATURES opens Fri 1/22 in our Virtual Screening Room! ' @fer_valadez's' feature debut is a lyrical thriller that…
RT' @BrattleTheatre': Area Premiere! A Middle-aged Mexican mother goes on an increasingly dangerous quest to find out the fate of her son who…
RT' @DenverFilm': IDENTIFYING FEATURES (SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES) picked up Best International Feature at the' @weare_thegotham' Awards. It's a…
RT' @FilmLinc': Fernanda Valadez's IDENTIFYING FEATURES, opening tomorrow in our Virtual Cinema, is a' @nytimes' Critic's Pick! "It’s a confid…
RT' @nytimesarts': The Mexican drama "Identifying Features" is a sophisticated acknowledgment of the powerlessness that migrants face. A Crit…
A triumphant and award-winning directorial debut from Mexican filmmaker' @fer_valadez', IDENTIFYING FEATURES is now p…' https://t.co/57k20mMOQQ'
RT' @KLStudioClassic': Coming May 11th! Tank (1984) • Audio Commentary by Journalist Bryan Reesman • 4 Radio Spots • Theatrical Trailer Wri…
General Inquiries
333 W. 39th St., Ste. 503
New York, NY 10018
Tel. (800) 562-3330
Fax. (212) 714-0871
Press & Media
For publicity assistance and press inquiries please contact us by emailing dninh@kinolorber.com or calling 212-629-6880.
Educational
Please visit our educational site at www.KinoLorberEDU.com
For assistance with educational orders, please contact us at:
Phone:212-629-6880
Fax: 212-714-0871
Email: edu@kinolorber.com
