Benjamin Millepied is a French dancer and choreographer, perhaps most widely known for his work in the movie Black Swan in which he starred and choreographed. He became the Director of Dance at the Paris Opera Ballet in October 2014... (wikipedia)
'Swan Lake' is the most difficult thing to portray for a female ballet dancer; it really requires such specific qualities of articulation, agility, strength, and the arm work is something that takes a lot of training.
Most dancers have no awareness of how they look; half of them think they're fat. There is anorexia in the ballet world; there are those things.
Directing is very close to choreography; you deal with space, time, emotions, lighting, making beautiful images.
Nowadays I actually cook Italian-style food more than French heavy sauces. I make a good salad, some great roasted vegetables, grilled fish. Im crazy about L.A. because at the farmers market you find all kinds of wild mushrooms.
I did grow up in France, and even though I didn't go to the school or dance with the Paris Opera Ballet, I absorbed similar ideas in my training. I understand the scale of a big company. I danced for one for almost 20 years.
I was born in France. I grew up in Africa.
Most dancers have no awareness of how they look; half of them think theyre fat. There is anorexia in the ballet world; there are those things.
Swan Lake is the most difficult thing to portray for a female ballet dancer; it really requires such specific qualities of articulation, agility, strength, and the arm work is something that takes a lot of training.
The idea that ballet is a white art is absurd and shocking, and it’s gone on for too long. Nothing would make me happier than having a company that reflects society, to have dancers onstage that people can relate to.
In France, ballet is on TV ... It's on the eight-o'clock news. It's a cool thing to be a dancer.
When I see the attention movie stars get, it doesn't make me want to be in that position at all.