Ballroom Dancer
- A feature documentary.
- Directed by Christian Holten Bonke and Andreas Koefoed.
- Features Slavik Kryklyvyy and Anna Melnikova.
- Produced by Danish Documentary Productions.
- World premiere at Copenhagen International documentary film festival on 1st November 2011.
DESCRIPTION
Through a unique access to a legendary dancer, this film takes you deep inside a world at a very personal level. Ballroom Dancer takes place in a vivid world known intimately only by the professionals and the devotees, although recently more and more people have become acquainted with dance following popular TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.
The real competitive world of ballroom dancing, however, is as cruel as it is beautiful. It is romantic yet cynical. The dancers live like nomads and are constantly traveling the globe striving to climb the hierarchy of competitive ballroom dancing. Competition is fierce and very few reach their goal.
Ballroom Dancer is shot across the entire world, which adds a very interesting variation of locations. We go from the white beaches of Bali to icy Moscow winter. We marvel at the futuristic Hong Kong, which is juxtaposed by the nostalgic amusement halls and the British melancholy of Blackpool's faded seaside charm. There is celebrity nightlife in New York and worn down dance studios in Kiev. The story of Slavik and Anna is indeed played out in a global, fast-moving modern world, yet the story is deeply personal.
Through a unique access to a legendary dancer, this film takes you deep inside a world at a very personal level. Ballroom Dancer takes place in a vivid world known intimately only by the professionals and the devotees, although recently more and more people have become acquainted with dance following popular TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.
The real competitive world of ballroom dancing, however, is as cruel as it is beautiful. It is romantic yet cynical. The dancers live like nomads and are constantly traveling the globe striving to climb the hierarchy of competitive ballroom dancing. Competition is fierce and very few reach their goal.
Ballroom Dancer is shot across the entire world, which adds a very interesting variation of locations. We go from the white beaches of Bali to icy Moscow winter. We marvel at the futuristic Hong Kong, which is juxtaposed by the nostalgic amusement halls and the British melancholy of Blackpool's faded seaside charm. There is celebrity nightlife in New York and worn down dance studios in Kiev. The story of Slavik and Anna is indeed played out in a global, fast-moving modern world, yet the story is deeply personal.
PLOT OUTLINE The former world champion Slavik Kryklyvyy is making his comeback with his younger partner and girlfriend Anna Melnikova - a comeback that turns out to be much more painful than he expected.
Slavik (34) is making his final comeback as a professional dancer. When he came on the scene, he was the fastest rising star in the history of ballroom dancing making it to world champion in a little over a year. Unfortunately, Slavik has been unable to maintain long-term partnerships, which has kept him away from the competition floor for a long time.
Now, with his new dance partner and girlfriend, Anna, he has his mind set to regain lost ground and once again become the best dancer in the world. However, they are up against Michael & Joanna, the renowned world champions who seem stronger than ever. Slavik also suffers from severe hip pain and soon it becomes a question if Slavik and Anna's relationship will survive the fight to the top as the pressure grows and former personal conflicts start to reappear.
Images That I like From The Trailer:
Throughout the trailer there are clips, which show the dancers getting ready for the competition. These are usually shown through close ups or extreme close ups. I am considering incorporating this into my trailer, as it sets the scene.
The music in the trailer varies sometimes it is traditional Latin music, which you would hear at a competition. However, others times there is no need for music as the is a voice over.
Slavik (34) is making his final comeback as a professional dancer. When he came on the scene, he was the fastest rising star in the history of ballroom dancing making it to world champion in a little over a year. Unfortunately, Slavik has been unable to maintain long-term partnerships, which has kept him away from the competition floor for a long time.
Now, with his new dance partner and girlfriend, Anna, he has his mind set to regain lost ground and once again become the best dancer in the world. However, they are up against Michael & Joanna, the renowned world champions who seem stronger than ever. Slavik also suffers from severe hip pain and soon it becomes a question if Slavik and Anna's relationship will survive the fight to the top as the pressure grows and former personal conflicts start to reappear.
Images That I like From The Trailer:
Throughout the trailer there are clips, which show the dancers getting ready for the competition. These are usually shown through close ups or extreme close ups. I am considering incorporating this into my trailer, as it sets the scene.
There is also footage of the couple training, which I think gives a nice contrast with the competitive environment. This is shown with medium or long shots. I also like the use of the extreme long shot or an establishing shot.
It also uses historical footage.
It then changes environment to show where the competition is held it also shows them along with other competitors competing against each other on the dance floor.
This is the title of the film. The colour initially starts off red and then changes to white.
I like the use of words and questions in the trailer, as it makes the audience think about how they will feel. Also the words are quite powerful and give out a message, which is reflected in the font size.
In order to fit in with a stereotypical Trailer they have incorporated the names of the producers by showing their own logo at the end of the trailer.
