Giselle

A Catskill meadow, dancers in moonlight, downtown Beijing, lovers who are worlds apart and trying to find the way to each other, and classical ballet, blend in wordless majesty. A performance of Giselle, a much loved and traditional ballet, by the Royal New Zealand Ballet is enhanced with modern and outside images, music and characters. In the classic story Giselle is deceived in love by a rich and influential man who, as it happens, is engaged to another woman. Yet she may have it in her heart to save him from being torn apart by others intent upon punishing him for his deeds. While the theater performance as well as the enhancements are vibrant and beautiful, I wish there was more substance to the modern enhancements. The director mentioned that he did not want to tamper much with the traditional ballet, and yet without the meddling the film becomes more a documentary of the theater performance rather than a modern and innovative film. Seen at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.