[Online] New film about Cuban ballet aims to shatter stereotypes about the country and the dance
By Andy Etzkorn
March 3, 2004 9:00 p.m.
Filmmaker Cynthia Newport has had dance in her blood since she
first stepped onto a dance floor.
Now she has a film to show for it. Her new documentary,
“Dance Cuba: Dreams of Flight,” examines the journey of
the Washington Ballet Company, the first American ballet company to
perform in Cuba since the 1960s. The film also explores what life
is like for Cuban ballet dancers in the 21st century. It will
premiere in Los Angeles at the Egyptian Theatre tonight.
“Anyone involved in ballet knows about the National Ballet
of Cuba,” said Newport, who directed and produced the film.
“It is considered one of the most prestigious (dance)
companies in the world.”
A filmmaker with the spirit of a ballet dancer, always obsessed
with precision and timing, Newport notes that it took exactly thee
years, 10 months, two weeks and six days to make “Dance
Cuba.”
“When you go to Cuba, the people know everything there is
to know about ballet,” she said. “At this point, ballet
dancers are treated in Cuba as America treats (its) rock
stars.”
In her film, Newport highlights one of Cuba’s own
“rock stars.” Carlos Acosta is currently one of the
premiere ballet dancers in the world, and his roots lie in Cuban
ballet.
Acosta grew up in Cuba the son of a poor trucker. He began as a
petty thief who would breakdance on street corners for money. It
was his father who convinced him to join ballet.
“(My father) thought that I would have a troubled future
if I didn’t do ballet,” said Acosta. “My father
was the strong hand in my quest to becoming a ballet
dancer.”
Acosta represents an interesting point in “Dance
Cuba.” He is one of many male ballet performers featured in
the film, something that may surprise those who think of ballet as
being more of a feminine dance.
“When you tell people that you do ballet, many may
automatically assume that you are homosexual because of the
stereotype associated with (ballet) performers,” Acosta said.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about having an
understanding of the dance. That is all that really
matters.”
According to Newport, this stereotype is inaccurate since
ballet, particularly Cuban ballet, has been known to be for both
male and female dancers.
“What is amazing is that ballet is just as demanding as
being a football player,” said Newport. “I’ve
always said that dance is sweat and bloody feet.”
With the National Ballet of Cuba having such a huge influence
all over the world, Acosta, being one the principle dancers, was
given the opportunity to legally leave Cuba to dance for companies
all over the world. As “Dance Cuba” tells his story,
the film is quick to make a point that many Cuban dancers unable to
leave the country legally, as Acosta was, have chosen to defect to
countries such as the United States to pursue their dancing
careers.
Laura Urgelles, another dancer featured in the film, was
originally from Cuba and her ballet roots lie in Cuban teaching.
Her unhappiness with the Cuban political system caused her to
defect to the United States when she was 22 .
“I left for both artistic and political reasons,”
said Urgelles. “I came (to the United States) because it
seemed like a place to start a new life.”
Urgelles, who now dances professionally with the Washington
Ballet, admits she was unhappy with aspects of Cuba, but still
holds many ties to the country to which she sometimes wishes she
could go back.
“I still miss and love my family, and I am sad that they
will never really get a chance to see me dance,” said
Urgelles. “The Cuban ballet, though, has had the most
influence in my career, and I am grateful to train with
them.”
Newport ultimately wants people who see her film in the United
States to be able to discard stereotypes.
“I hope that it will open people’s minds,”
said Newport. “I hope that (the film) allows them to leave
preconceived notions of Cuba and ballet behind.”
Urgelles echoed Newport’s sentiments.
“I hope (audiences) see how much influence ballet has in
everyday Cuban life,” she said. “I hope that (U.S.
audiences) see that despite political and cultural differences with
Cuba, we are united by the love of dance.”
