Ballet Black

Formed in 1946, Ballet Negres was the first all black dance company in Europe. It reached its creative and popular peak between 1948 and 1950 but by 1952 it had dissolved. The company created a unique style, fusing Afro Carribean dance with classical ballet. It used mime as a third distinctive element to develop a narrative reflecting Black/White relations and Black folklore. The film explores the Ballet Negres story, using reviews, news coverage and showing a reunion of the original members. Young dancers are also seen rehearsing and performing the ballet “They Came”.

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Collection

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Credits

director

Stephen Dwoskin

Duration

01:23:00:00

Production places

United Kingdom

Production dates

1986

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

300264

Language

English

Subject category

Music & Performing Arts → Ballet

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Holdings

VHS; Access Print (Section 1)

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/79326--ballet-black/ |title=Ballet Black |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=10 June 2023 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}

United Kingdom, 1986

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