San Francisco Ballet Performs in a New Video Trailer

March 24, 2016

There’s something compelling about the pristine classicism of ballet contrasted against a gritty setting. The viral success of videos like Sergei Polunin and David LaChapelle’s “Take Me to Church” doesn’t lie.

Here’s another video to add to the list of edgy and beautiful dance films out there: Ezra Hurwitz’s latest endeavor with San Francisco Ballet. The film is a trailer for the upcoming Justin Peck premiere at SFB, In the Countenance of Kings. It showcases some of the company dancers in choreography pulled directly from the ballet. The twist? They’re dancing in a stunning, abandoned train station instead of onstage at the War Memorial Opera House. The music, composed by frequent Peck collaborator Sufjan Stevens, is propulsive. The dancing is energetic and free. And, in an adorable twist, the performers are all wearing white sneakers.

We love Hurwitz’s video collaborations because they give a dreamy, romantic twist to standard behind-the-scenes mini-documentaries. And, since he’s a retired member of Miami City Ballet, the films are full of little details that dancers know other dancers want to see. This trailer is no different.

Enjoy! And check out some of Hurwitz’s earlier work here, and here.

 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fYBQGWLk8Aw

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