Movie Pick of The Week: First Position (2011)

Amongst all of the Oscar bait films, film festival darlings, and foreign favorites, it’s easy to miss some gems of movies, to not know exactly what film is worth seeing other than the obvious. Sometimes it’s fun to pick a random movie, cross your fingers that you like it, and see how the viewing goes. But sometimes it’s nice to have a recommendation. I know the amount of time that can be put fruitlessly into trying to pick a movie, deciding which genre you’re in the mood for, if you really want to see the movie, or if you just want to see it because you think the actor or actress or both are babes, and if the rotten tomatoes score should really be a contributing factor into whether or not you see it or not.

So here’s my opinion as someone who genuinely loves films and has spent hours going through lists of films to choose from and ending the night with a defeated sigh and with the choice to just turn the television on and simply see how it goes from there. Each Sunday I’ll pick a movie I’ve watched in the past week that I believe is worth a see.

 First Position (2011)

 What’s it about? :

The documentary follows six young, hugely talented dancers from all over the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most highly regarded and prestigious ballet competitions in the world. It’s at this competition where talent scouts look for dancers to award scholarships to and jobs. We watch these dancers and they explore their talents, share their pitfalls and witness their victories.

Why should you watch it?

This film shows the immense amount of talent that all of these youthful dancers share. It’s the prowess they exude due to their complete and utter devotion to their craft. It’s always inspiring and mildly heartbreaking to see just how dedicated children and teenagers have to be in order for them to improve and perfect their skill set. It takes hours of their days, they follow a strict regime, any injury could put them out for the rest of their careers and often times they seem to have a sense of duty to their potential career that could match any adult already knee deep in their chose profession.

 This documentary tells the story of these six individuals who throw their entire body and mind into their love for dance. The dance world is slimming and rather than there being an abundance of opportunities for dancers, they’re instead slimming more and more throughout the years. A dancer cannot be blasé about it, they must put one hundred percent of their effort into it or else they have zero chance at success.

 It’s easy to route for these individuals. As a viewer we’re very much on the outside looking it. Dance can be beautiful and otherworldly and completely moving when done by professional and skillful artists, but the grueling that they put their bodies through and their psyches through seems almost unbearable. They seem almost superhuman.

 I watched it and I wanted to dance. And I have the least amount of grace, balance and flexibility in that avenue and still, I paused to reflect on how angry I was that my parents didn’t force me into those damn ballet shoes, leotard, and make me play nice with the other girls.

 Watching the young men and women dedicate themselves so full heartedly into such a demanding and yet rewarding profession is inspiring to anyone who wishes to accomplish a dream.

 This documentary is currently on Netflix and it’s well worth the watch. It doesn’t matter your gender, interest or knowledge in the sport, it’s about loving what you do and everyone can relate to that.