"There's nothing softer than that," says Benjamin Millepied and continues to rigorously massage the heel of an injured dancer. It's scenes like this, shot behind the scenes of the Paris Opera Ballet, that make the documentary "Reset" (French title: "Relève") a fascinating work about top-class art, sacrifice and the struggle with theatrical bureaucracy. Which is not least due to Millepied itself.
T he dancer and choreographer created all the movement patterns in the psychological thriller "Black Swan", shortly afterwards married its leading actress Natalie Portman and left his post as director of the ballet of the Paris Opera after only a year and a half - during which the documentary film "Relève / Reset" was made. As they say, out of frustration with budgets and other stumbling blocks of the venerable cultural establishment.
The exciting documentary "Reset" by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai, which follows Millepied and his troupe up close as they rehearse his ballet "Clear, Loud, Bright, Forward", shows how great his creative influence was modern and traditional elements delighted the visitors and the feuilleton.
What happened after the documentary with Benjamin Millepied? Oh, he keeps dancing on fast feet through the art world. As the founder and choreographer of the LA Dance Project, as a father of two, as a collector of design objects from the 1990s - and with the recent premiere of "Daphnis et Chloé" at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin.
The only disadvantage of enjoying "Reset / Relève" is that this famous documentary makes you want to dance yourself. So it's best to research the next studio with "Barre Workout" from the sofa using your iPad. Our fashion tip for training: cozy jogging trousers made from cashmere and a poncho that keeps the stressed muscles wonderfully warm after the gym.
